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AUTHENTIC    NARRATIVES 


OF    THE   MOST 


REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS, 

FIRES,  FAMINES,  CALAMITIES,  PROVIDENTIAL 

DELIVERANCES,  AND  LAMENTABLE 

DISASTERS  ON  THE  SEAS, 

IN    MOST   PARTS  OF 

THE     WORLD. 


By    R.    THOMAS,   A.   M. 


" 


Embellished  with   numerous   plates  from  original  designs* 


HARTFORD: 
PUBLISHED  BY  EZRA  STRONG. 

1837 


Entered  according  to  the  act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1835,  by  EZKA  STROM*, 
in  the  Clerl's  office  of  the  State  of  Connecticut. 


BOSTON! 

WBRBOTTPB0    BY    SHEPAR3,   OLIVER   AMD    CO 
Ko.  3,  Wilier  »ra«u 


Stock 
Annex 

*      5 


REMARKABLE     SHIPWRECKS! 


LOSS  OF  THE  GROSVENOR  INDIAMAN. 
On  the  Coast  of  Caffraria,  August  4,  1782. 

IN  the  melancholy  catalogue  of  human  woes,  few 
things  appear  more  eminently  "disastrous  than  the  gene- 
ral fate  of  the  Grosvenor's  crew.  Shipwreck  is  always, 
even  in  its  mildest  form,  a  calamity  which  fills  the  mind 
with  horror  ;  but,  what  is  instant  death,  compared  to  the 
situation  of  those  who  had  hunger,  thirst,  and  naked- 
ness to  contend  with ;  who  only  escaped  the  fury  of  th^ 
waves  to  enter  into  conflicts  with  the  savages  ol 
rest,  or  the  greater  savages  of  the  human  race  ;  ^^o  were 
cut  off  from'all  civilized  society,  and  felt  ftie"  prolonga- 
tion of  life  to  be  only  the  lengthened  pains  of  death? 

The  Grosvenor  sailed  from^frinicomale,  June  13th, 
1782,  on  her  homewarji  bound  voyage,  and  met  with  no 
memorable  occurrence  till  the  4th  of  August,  the  fatal 
day  on  which  she  went  on  shore. 

During  the  two  preceding  days  it  had  blown  very 
hard,  the  sky  was  overcast,  so  that  they  were  unable  to 
take  an  observation;  and  it  is  likewise  probable,  that 
from  their  vicinity  to  the  shore,  they  had  been  carried 
out  of  their  course  by  currents.  The  combination  of 
these  circumstances  may  account  for  the  error  in  their 
reckoning,  which  occasioned  the  loss  of  the  ship.  It  ap- 
pears that  captain  Coxson  had  declared,  a  few  hours 
before  the  disaster  took  place,  that  he  computed  the  ship 
to  be  at  least  one  hundred  leagues  from  the  nearest  land, 
and  this  opinion  lulled  them  into  a  false  security. 

2031324   { 


6  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 

John  Hynes,  one  of  the  survivors,  being  aloft  with 
Some  others,  in  the  night-watch,  saw  breakers  ahead, 
and  asked  his  companions  if  they  did  not  think  land 
•was  near.  In  this  opinion  they  all  coincided,  and  has- 
tened to-  ^inform  the  third  mate,  who  was  the  officer 
of  the  watch.  The  infatuated  young  man  only  laugh- 
ed at  their  apprehensions ;  upon  which  one  of  them 
ran  to  the  cabin  to  acquaint  the  captain,  who  instantly 
ordered  to  wear  ship.  But  before  this  could  be  accom- 
plished, her  keel  struck  with  great  force ;  in  an  instant 
every  person  on  board  hastened  on  the  deck,  and  appre- 
hension and  horror  were  impressed  on  every  counte- 
nance. 

The  captain  endeavored  to  dispel  the  fears  of  the  pas- 
sengers, and  begged  them  to  be  composed.  The  pumps 
were  sounded,  but  no  water  found  in  the  hold,  as  the 
ship's  stern  lay  high  on  the  rocks.  In  a  few  minutes  the 
wind  blew  off  the  shore,  which  filled  them  with  appre- 
hensions lest  they  should  be  driven  out  to  sea,  and  thus 
lose  the  only  chance  they  had  of  escaping.  The  powder 
room  was  by  this  time  full  of  water,  the  masts  were  cut 
y,  without  any  effect,  and  the  ship  being  driven 
withii?  a  cahle'  s  length  of  the  shore,  all  hopes  of  saving 
her  vanibi1?^: 

This  dismal  pi~S§pect  produced  distraction  and  despair, 
and  it  is  impossible  to  describe  the  scene  that  ensued. 
Those  who  were  most  cofsposed  set  about  forming  a 
raft,  hoping  by  means  of  it  to  convey  the  women,  the 
children,  and  the  sick,  to  land.  Meanwhile  thiee  men 
attempted  to  swim  to  the  shore  with  the  deep-sea  line ; 
one  perished  in  the  attempt,  but  the  other  two  succeeded. 
By  these  a  hawser  was,  at  length,  carried  to  the  shore 
and  fastened  round  the  rocks,  in  which  operation  they 
were  assisted  by  great  numbers  of  the  natives,  who  had 
come  down  to  the  water's  edge  to  witness  the  uncom- 
mon sight. 

The  raft  being  by  this  time  completed,  was  launched 

overboard,  and  four  men  got  upon  it  to  assist  the  ladies ; 

but  they  had  scarcely  taken  their  station  before  the  haw- 

'  ser,  which  was  fastened  around  it,  snapped  in  two,  by 


LOSS   OF   THE:GROSTENOR  INDIAMAN.  7 

1 

•which  accident  it  was  upset,  and  three  of  the  men  drown- 
ed. Tn  this  dilemma,  every  one  began  to  think  of  the 
best  rm  "-ns  of  saving  himself.  The  yawl  and  jolly-boat 
bad  already  been  dashed  to  pieces  by  the  violence  of  the 
SUrf;  so  that  the  only  means  of  preservationgftiow  left 
was  by  the  hawser  made  fast  to  the  rocks,  hand  over 
hand.  Several  got  safe  on  shore  in  this  manner,  while 
otfiers,  to  the  number  of  fifteen,  perished  in  the  difficult 
attempt. 

The  ship  soon  separated  just  before  the  main-mast. 
The  wind,  at  the  same  time,  providentially  shifted  to 
the  old  quarter,  and  blew  directly  to  the  land ;  a  circum- 
stance which  contributed  greatly  to  the  preservation  of 
those  on  board,  who  all  got  on  the  poop,  as  being  near- 
est to  the  shore.  The  wind  and  surges  now  impelling 
them,  that  part  of  the  wreck  on  which  the  people  were 
rent  asunder  fore  and  aft,  the  deck  splitting  in  two.  In 
this  distress  they  crowded  upon  the  starboard  quarter, 
which  soon  floated  into  shoal  water,  the  other  parts  of 
the  wreck  breaking  on0  those  heavy  seas  which  would 
otherwise  have  ingulphed  or  dashed  them  to  pieces. 
Through  this  fortunate  incident,  all  on  board,  even  the 
ladies  and  children,  got  safe  on  shore,  except  uie  cook's 
mate,  a  black,  who,  being  drunk,  could  not  be  prevailed 
upon  to  leave  the  wreck. 

Before  this  arduous  business  was  well  effected  nigh 
came  on,  and  the  natives  having  retired,  several  fir  a 
were  lighted  with  fuel  from  the  wreck,  and  the  wh  ; 
company  supped  on  such  provisions  as  they  picked  Lip 
on  the  shore.  Two  tents  were  formed  of  sails  that  iad 
drifted  to  the  shore,  and  in  these  the  ladies  were  I  tt  to 
repose,  while  the  men  wandered  about  in  search  o;  such 
articles  as  might  be  of  service. 

On  the  morning  of  the  5th,  the  natives  returned,  and, 
without  ceremony,  carried  off  whatever  suited  their 
fancy.  This  conduct  excited  a  thousand  apprehensions, 
particularly  in  the  minds  of  the  females,  for  their  personal 
safety ;  but  observing  that  the  savages  contented  them- 
se-lves  with  plunder,  their  fears  were  somewhat  allayed. 

The  next  day  was  employed  in  collecting  together  all 


REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

the  articles  that  might  be  useful  in  their  journey  to  the 
Cape,  to  which  they  imprudently  resolved  to  direct  their 
course;  a  resolution  which  involved  them  in  compli- 
cated misery,  and  which  can  be  justified  by  no  wise  prin- 
ciple. From  the  wreck  they  might  easily  have  built  a 
vessel  capable  of  containing  them  all,  and  by  coasting 
along,  they  might  have  reached  the  nearest  of  the  Dutch 
settlements  with  half  the  danger  or  risk  to  which  they 
were  then  exposing  themselves.  Distress,  however, 
sometimes  deprives  men  of  all  presence  of  mind ;  so  the 
crew  of  the  Grosvenor,  having  just  escaped  the  dangers 
of  the  sea,  appear  to  have  considered  land  as  the  most 
desirable  alternative,  without  reflecting  on  the  almost 
insuperable  obstacles  that  lay  in  their  way. 

On  examining  their  stores,  they  found  themselves  in 
possession  of  two  casks  of  flour  and  a  tub  of  pork,  that  had 
been  washed  on  the  beach,  and  some  arrack,  which  the 
captain  prudently  ordered  to  be  staved,  lest  the  natives 
should  get  at  it,  and  by  intoxication  increase  their  natu- 
ral ferocity. 

Captain  Coxson  now  called  together  the  survivors,  and 
naviftg  divided  the  provisions  among  them,  asked  if  they 
consented  to  his  continuing  in  the  command,  to  which 
they  unanimously  agreed.  He  then  informed  them,  that 
from  the  best  calculation  he  could  make,  he  was  in 
hopes  of  being  able  to  reach  some  of  the  Dutch  settle- 
ments in  fifteen  or  sixteen  days.  In  this  calculation  the 
captain  was  probably  not  much  mistaken.  Subsequent 
observations  prove  that  the  Grosvenor  must  have  been 
wrecked  between  the  twenty-seventh  and  twenty-eighth 
degrees  of  south  latitude ;  and  as  the  Dutch  colonies  ex- 
tend beyond  the  thirty-first  degree,  they  might  have 
accomplished  the  journey  within  the  time  specified,  had 
not  rivers  intervened  and  retarded  their  progress. 

Every  thing  being  arranged,  they  set  out  on  their 
journey  on  the  seventh,  leaving  behind  only  an  old  East- 
india  soldier,  who,  being  lame,  preferred  trusting  him- 
self to  the  natives  till  some  more  favorable  opportunity 
of  getting  away  should  present  itself;  adding,  that  he 
might  as  well  die  with  them  as  end  his  life  on  the  way 
with  pain  and  hunger. 


.      LOSS   OF   THE   GROSVENOR   INDIAMAN.  0 

As  they  moved  forward  they  were  followed  by  some 
of  the  natives,  while  others  remained  at  the  wreck. 
Those  who  accompanied  them  plundered  them,  from  time 
:o  time,  of  whatever  they  liked,  and  sometimes  threw 
stones  at  them.  After  proceeding  a  few  miles  they  were 
net  by  a  party  of  about  thirty  of  the  natives,  whose  hair 
tvas  fastened  up  in  a  comical  form,  and  their  faces  paint- 
ed red.  Among  these  was  a  man  who  spoke  Dutch, 
who,  it  afterwards  appeared,  was  a  runaway  slave  from 
the  Cape,  on  account  of  some  crimes,  and  was  named 
Trout.  When  this  man  came  up  to  the  English  he  in- 
quired who  they  were,  and  whither  they  were  going. 
Finding  by  their  answers  that  they  had  been  cast  away, 
he  informed  them,  that  their  intended  journey  to  the 
Cape  would  be  attended  with  unspeakable  difficulties 
from  the  natives,  the  wild  beasts,  and  the  nature  of  the 
country  through  which  they  would  have  to  pass. 

Though  this  did  not  contribute  to  raise  their  spirits  they 
ried  to  engage  him  as  a  guide,  but  no  arguments  could 
prevail  upon  him  to  comply  with  their  wishes.  Find- 
ing all  their  solicitations  fruitless,  they  pursued  their 
journey  for  four  or  five  days,  during  which  they  were 
constantly  surrounded  by  the  natives,  who  took  from 
them  whatever  they  pleased,  but  invariably  retired  on 
the  approach  of  night. 

As  they  proceeded  they  saw  many  villages,  which 
they  carefully  avoided,  that  they  might  be  less  exposed 
to  the  insults  of  the  natives.  At  length  they  came  to  a 
deep  gully,  where  they  were  met  by  three  Caffres,  armed 
with  lances,  which  they  held  several  times  to  the  cap- 
tain's throat.  Irritated  beyond  all  patience  by  their  con- 
el  net,  he  wrenched  one  of  the  lances  from  their  hands 
and  broke  it.  Of  this  the  natives  seemed  to  take  no  no- 
tice, and  went  away ;  but  the  next  day,  on  coming  to  a 
large  village,  they  there  found  the  three  men,  with  three 
or  four  hundred  of  their  countrymen,  all  armed  with 
lances  and  targets.  As  the  English  advanced  they  were 
stopped  by  these  people,  who  began  to  pilfer  and  insult 
tl-iem,  and  at  last  fell  upon  and  beat  them. 

Conceiving  that  it  was  the  intention  of  the  natives  to 


10  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 

kill  them,  they  formed  a  resolution  to  defend  themselves 
to  the  last  extremity.  Accordingly,  placing  the  women, 
the  children,  and  the  sick  at  some  distance,  the  remain- 
der, to  the  number  of  eighty  or  ninety,  engaged  their  op- 
ponents in  a  kind  of  running  fight  for  upwards  of  two 
hours,  when  our  countrymen,  gaining  an  eminence,  where 
they  could  not  be  surrounded,  a  kind  of  parley  took  place. 
Jn  this  unfortunate  encounter  many  were  wounded  on 
both  sides,  but  none  killed.  After  a  pacification  had 
taken  place,  the  English  cut  the  buttons  from  their 
coats,  and  presented  them  to  the  natives,  upon  which 
they  went  away  and  returned  no  more. 

The  following  night  they  were  terrified  with  the  noise 
of  wild  beasts,  so  that  the  men  were  obliged  to  keep 
watch  to  prevent  their  too  near  approach.  -What  a 
dreadful  situation,  especially  for  females  of  delicate  ha- 
bits, and  so  lately  possessing  all  the  luxuries  that  eastern 
refinement  could  afford ! 

When  morning  arrived  they  were  again  joined  by 
[Trout,  who  had  been  on  board  the  wreck,  and  had  load- 
2d  himself  with  various  articles  of  iron  and  copper,  which 
was  carrying  to  his  habitation.  He  cautioned  them 
Against  maKmg  any  resistance  in  future,  for  as  they  were 

>t  furnished  with  any  weapons  of  defence,  opposition 
^ould  only  tend  to  irritate  the  natives  and  increase  ob- 
structions. With  this  advice  he  left  them. 

Having  made  some  progress  during  the  day,  they 
agreed  to  pass  the  night  near  a  deep  gully,  but  were  so 
disturbed  b"y  the  howh'ngs  of  wild  beasts  that  they  could 
get  but  little  sleep.  Though  a  large  fire  was  kept  up  to 
intimidate  these  unwelcome  visitors,  they  came  so  near 
as  to  occasion  a  general  alarm. 

The  next  day,  as  they  were  advancing,  a  party  of  na- 
tives came  down  upon  them,  and  plundered  them,  among 
other  things,  of  their  tinder-box,  flint,  and  steel,  which 
proved  an  irreparable  loss.  They  were  now  obliged  to 
carry  with  them  a  firebrand  by  turns,  the  natives  fol- 
lowing them  until  it  was  almost  dark.  At  length  they 
came  to  a  small  river,  where  they  determined  to  stop 
during  the  night.  Before  the  natives  retired  they  be- 


LOSS    OF   THE   GROSVENOR    INDIAMAN.  11 

came  more  insolent  than  ever,  robbing  the  gentlemen  of 
their  watches,  and  the  ladies  of  the  diamonds  which  they 
had  secreted  in  their  hair.  Opposition  was  in  vain ;  the 
attempt  to  resist  these  outrages  being  productive  of  fresh 
insults,  and  even  blows. 

The  following  day  they  crossed  the  river.  Here  their 
provisions  being  nearly  expended,  and  the  delay  and  fa- 
tigue occasioned  by  travelling  with  the  women  and  chil- 
dren being  very  great,  the  sailors  began  to  murmur,  and 
each  seemed  resolved  to  shift  for  himself.  Accordingly 
the  captain,  with  Mr.  Logic,  the  first  mate,  and  his  wife, 
the  third  mate,  colonel  James  and  lady,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Hosea,  Mr.  Newman,  a  passenger,  the  purser,  the  sur- 
geon, and  five  of  the  children,  agreed  to  keep  together, 
and  travel  as  before ;  many  of  the  sailors  were  also  pre- 
vailed upon  to  attend  them,  by  the  liberal  promises  of 
the  passengers. 

On  the  other  hand,  Mr.  Shaw,  the  second  mate,  Mr. 
Trotter,  the  fourth.  Mr.  Harris,  the  fifth,  captain  Talbot, 
Messr?  Williams  and  Taylor,  M.  D'Espinette,  several 
other  gentlemen,  and  their  servants,  together  with  a  num- 
ber of  the  seamen,  in  all  forty-three  persons,  among 
whom  was  Hynes,  from  whom  much  information  was 
afterwards  obtained,  resolv^i  to  hasten  forward.  A 
young  gentleman  of  the  name  of  Law,  seven  or  eight 
years  of  age,  crying  after  one  of  the  passengers,  they 
=  agreed  to  take  him  with  them,  and  to  carry  him  by  turns 
"  when  tired. 

This  separation  was  equally  fatal,  cruel,  and  impolitic  ; 
however,  the  second  mate's  party  having  been  stopped 
by  a  river,  they  oiice  more  joined  with  great  satisfaction^ 
and  travelled  in  company  the  whole  of  that  day  and  part 
of  the  next.   . 

They  now  arrived  at  a  large  village,  where  they  found 
Trout,  who  introduced  his  wife  and  child  to  them,  and 
begged  a  piece  of  pork.  He  informed  them  that  this 
Wii.s  his  residence,  and  repeated  his  former  declaration, 
that  the  natives  would  not  suffer  him  to  depart,  even  if 
lie  were  inclined  to  return  to  his  own  country.  He, 
however,  communicated  various  articles  of  information 


12  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

relative  to  their  journey,  for  which  they  made  due  ac- 
knowledgments ;  but  it  is  to  be  lamented  that  he  could 
not  be  induced  to  extend  his  services,  or  rather  that  his 
crimes  and  character  rendered  him  dangerous  to  be 
trusted,  and  fearful  of  trusting  himself  among  Chris- 
tians. 

'  During  their  conversation  with  Trout,  the  natives 
surrounded  them  in  numbers,  and  continued  to  follow 
them  till  dusk.  The  two  companies  passed  the  night 
together,  but  that  distress,  which  ought  to  have  been 
the  bond  of  unity,  was  unfortunately  perverted  into  an 
occasion  for  disaffection  and  complaint. 

Their  provisions  running  very  short,  a  party  went 
down  to  the  sea-side  to  seek  for  shell-fish  on  the  rocks, 
and  found  a  considerable  quantity  of  oysters,  muscles, 
and  limpets.  These  were  divided  among  the  women, 
the  children,  and  the  sick ;  for  the  tide  happening  to  come 
in  before  they  had  collected  a  sufficient  stock,  some  of 
the  wretched  troop  were  obliged  to  put  up  with  a  very 
scanty  allowance.  After  a  repast  which  rather  excited 
than  gratified  their  appetites,  they  continued  their  march, 
and  about  noon  reached  a  small  village,  where  an  old 
man  approached  them,  armed  with  a  lance,  which  he 
levelled,  making  at  the  same  time  a  noise  somewhat 
resembling  the  report  of  a  musket.  From  this  circum- 
stance, it  is  probable,  he  was  acquainted  with  the  use 
of  fire-arms,  and  apprehended  they  would  kill  his  cattle, 
for  he  immediately  drove  his  herd  into  the  kraall ;  an 
inclosure,  where  they  are  always  secured  upon  the  ap- 
pearance of  danger,  and  during  the  night.  The  old 
man  took  no  farther  notice  of  the  English,  but  they  were 
followed  by  some  of  the  other  inhabitants  of  the  village, 
who  behaved  exiremely  ill. 

The  final  separation  now  took  place ;  they  parted  to 
meet  no  more.  In  adopting  this  resolution  they  appear 
to  have  been  influenced  by  motives  which  had,  at  least, 
the  specious  appearance  of  reason.  They  conceived, 
that  by  pursuing  different  routes,  and  travelling  in  small 
parties,  they  should  be  less  the  object  of  jealousy  to  the 
natives,  and  could  the  more  easily  procure  subsistence. 


LOSS   OF   THE    GROSVENOB    INDIAMAN.  13 

To  counterbalance  these  advantages,  however,  they  lost 
that  unity  of  action,  that  systematic  direction,  which  a 
prudent  superior  can  communicate  to  those  under  his 
care ;  and  by  rejecting  established  authority,  they  soon 
split  into  parties,  guided  only  by  caprice,  and  swayed 
by  temporary  views.  After  all,  they  did  not  part  with- 
out evincing  those  emotions  so  honorable  to  human  na- 
ture :  their  misfortunes  had,  in  some  measure,  levelled 
distinctions,  and  the  services  of  the  lowest  were  regarded 
as  tokens  of  friendship,  not  expressions  of  duty. 

From  this  period  the  fate  of  the  captain,  and  his  asso- 
ciates, is  almost  wholly  unknown.  But  imagination 
cannot  form  a  scene  of  deeper  distress  than  what  the 
delicate  and  tender  sex,  and  the  innocent  children,  must 
have  experienced.  From  the  accounts  of  some  of  the 
party  who  survived  their  distresses,  and  subsequent  in- 
quiries, it  is  probable,  that  the  hand  of  death  soon  re- 
leased them  from  their  accumulated  ills;  though  the 
public  mind  was  long  harassed  with  the  belief  that  a 
few  had  been  doomed  to  worse  than  death  among  the 
natives. 

The  separation  being  decided  upon,  the  party  which 
had  attached  itself  to  the  second  mate  travelled  till  it 
wag  quite  dark,  when,  arriving  at  a  convenient  spot,  they 
kindled  a  fire  and  reposed  for  the  night. 

Next  day  they  proceeded,  as  they  conjectured,  thirty 
miles ;  and  though  they  saw  great  numbers  of  the  na- 
tives they  received  from  them  not  the  least  molestation. 
Towards  the  close  of  the  day  they  reached  an  extensive 
wood,  and  being  fearful  of  entering  it,  lest  they  might 
lose  their  way,  they  spent  a  restless  night  on  its  verge, 
being  terribly  alarmed  by  the  bowlings  of  wild  beasts. 

They  continued  their  route  the  following  day  till  noon, 
without  any  other  food  than  wild  sorrel  and  such  berries 
as  they  observed  the  birds  to  peck  at.  None  of  the  na- 
tives made  their  appearance.  The  wanderers,  having 
reached  a  point  of  the  rocks,  found  some  shell-fish,  and 
after  refreshing  themselves  they  advanced  till  they  came 
to  the  banks  of  a  large  river,  where  they  reposed. 

Next  morning,  finding  the  river  very  broad  and  deep, 
2 


14  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 

"knd  several  of  the  company  being  unable  to  swim,  they 
resolved  to  follow  its  windings,  and  seek  some  place 
where  it  was  fordable.  In  their  way  they  passed  many 
villages,  the  inhabitants  of  which  were  too  much  alarm- 
ed to  yield  them  any  assistance.  Pursuing  the  course 
of  the  river  a  considerable  way,  and  not  finding  it  be- 
come narrower,  they  determined  to  construct  catamarans, 
a  kind  of  raft,  in  order  to  cross  it.  This  being  effected, 
with  such  materials  as  they  found  on  the  banks,  those 
who  could  not  swim  were  placed  upon  the  float,  which 
being  impelled  by  the  others,  they  all  crossed  it  in  safety, 
though  the  river  was  computed  to  be  not  less  than  two 
miles  over. 

It  was  now  three  days  since  they  had  left,  the  sea,  and 
during  that  period  they  had  scarcely  taken  any  nou- 
i  ishment  but  water  and  a  little  wild  sorrel.  They  there- 
fore again  directed  their  course  to  the  shore,  where  they 
were  fortunate  enough  to  find  abundance  of  shell-fish, 
which  afforded  them  a  very  seasonable  refreshment. 

After  following  the  trending?  of  the  coast  for  three  or 
four  days,  during  which  the  natives  suffered  them  to 
pass  without  molestation,  penetrating  a  pathless  wood, 
where,  perhaps,  no  human  being  ever  trod,  uncertain 
which  way  to  proceed,  incommoded  by  the  heat,  and  ex- 
hausted by  the  fatigues  of  their  march,  they  were  almost 
ir-ruly  to  sink,  when  they  reached  the  summit  of  a  hill. 
Here  they  rested,  and  had  the  satisfaction  to  see  a  spa- 
cious plain  before  them,  through  which  a  fine  stream 
meandered.  As  the  wild  beasts,  however,  were  accus- 
toinad,  in  their  nocturnal  prowlings,  to  resort  to  this  place 
for  water,  the  situation  of  the  travellers  was  perilous, 
.-vid  subject  to  continual  alarms. 

In  the  morning  one  of  the  party  ascended  a  lofty  tree 
to  observe  the  trendings  of  the  coast,  after  which  they 
resumed  their  course,  and  entered  another  wood  just  as 
the  night  set  in.  Having  passed  it  by  paths  which  the 
wild  beasts  alone  had  made,  they  again  reached  the  sea- 
coast.  Here  they  made  fires,  which,  after  the  fatigues 
ttiey  had  undergone,  was  a  toilsome  business,  and  threw 
U-  to  them  the  oysters  they  had  collected,  to  make  them 


,*.•'      LOSS    OF    THE    GROSVENOR    INDIAMAN.  \H 

\3r 

open,   as  they  had  not  a  single  knife  remaining  among 
them.     On  this  spot  they  reposed,  but  found  no  water. 

Next  day,  the  wanderers,  in  the  course  of  their  jour- 
ney, had  the  good  fortune  to  discover  a  dead  whale, 
which  sight  in  their  present  situation  afforded  them  no 
little  satisfaction.  The  want  of  a  knife  to  cut  it  up  pre- 
vented them  from  taking  full  advantage  of  this  acciden- 
tal supply ;  some  of  them,  though  in  the  extremity  of 
hunger,  nauseated  this  food :  while  others,  making  a 
fire  on  the  carcass,  dag  oat  the  part  thus  roasted,  with 
oyster-shells,  and  made  a  hearty  meal. 

A  fine,  level  country  now  presented  itself,  the  sight  of 
which  caused  them  to  believe  that  their  fatigues  were 
near  a  termination,  and  that  they  had  reached  the  north- 
ernmost part  of  the  Dutch  colonies.  Here  new  dissen- 
sions arose,  some  advising  that  they  should  penetrate  in- 
land, while  others  persevered  in  the  original  plan  of 
keeping  in  the  vicinity  of  the  sea-coast. 

After  many  disputes  another  division  of  the  party  took 
place.  Mr.  Shaw,  the  fourth  mate,  Mr.  Harris,  then"  flit, 
Messrs.  Williams  and  Taylor,  captain  Talbot,  and  sea- 
men, to  the  number  of  twenty-two  persons,  among  whom 
was  Hynes,  the  reporter,  tesolved  to  proceed  inland.  The 
carpenter,  the  ship's  steward,  M.  D'Espinette,  M.  Olivier, 
with  about  twenty-four  seamen,  continued  to  follow  the 
shore. 

The  party  which  took  the  interior  proceeded  for  three 
days  through  a  very  pleasant  country,  where  they  saw 
a  great  number  of  deserted  kraals.  During  this  time  they 
had  nothing  to  subsist  on  but  a  few  oysters,  which  they 
carried  with  them,  and  some  berries  and  wild  sorrel 
gathered  on  the  way.  The  effects  of  hunger  soon  com- 
pelled them  to  return  to  the  coast,  where,  as  usual,  they 
found  a  supply  of  shell-fish.  As  they*  were  proceeding 
up  a  steep  hill,  soon  after  their  separation,  captain  Tal- 
bot complained  of  great  lassitude,  and  repeatedly  sal 
down  to  rest  himself.  The  company  several  times  in- 
dulged him  by  doing  the  same ;  but  perceiving  that  he 
was  quite  exhausted,  they  went  on,  leaving  him  and  his 
faithful  servant,  Blair,  sitting  beside  each  other,  and 
neither  of  them  was  heard  of  any  more. 


16  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 

Having  reposed  near  the  shore,  the  next  day,  about 
noon,  they  arrived  at  a  small  river,  where  they  found 
two  of  the  carpenter's  party,  who,  being  unable  to  swim, 
had  been  left  behind.  The  joy  of  these  poor  creatures, 
at  the  sight  of  their  comrades,  was  excessive.  They 
were  preserved  since  they  had  been  in  this  place  almost 
by  a  miracle,  for  while  they  were  gathering  shell-fish 
on  the  beach  their  fire  went  out,  so  that  it  was  wonder- 
ful how  they  escaped  being  devoured  by  the  wild  beasts. 

They  were  with  difficulty  got  over  the  river,  and 
travelling  on  for  four  days  more  the  party  came  to  ano- 
ther river,  of  such  breadth  that  none  of  ttyem  would  at- 
tempt, to  pass  it.  Having  no  alternative,  they  marched 
along  its  banks  in  hopes  of  finding  a  practicable  passage, 
and  arrived  at  a  village,  where  the  natives  showed  them 
the  inside  of  a  watch,  which  some  of  the  carpenter's 
party  had  given  for  a  little  milk.  Mr.  Shaw  conceiving 
that  such  a  traffic  would  not  be  unacceptable,  offered 
them  the  inside  of  his  watch  for  a  calf.  To  these  terms 
they  assented,  but  no  sooner  had  they  obtained  posses- 
sion of  the  price  than  they  withheld  the  calf,  which  was 
immediately  driven  out  of  the  village. 

They  continued  their  march*  along  the  river  for  seve- 
ral days,  and  passed  through  several  villages  without 
molestation  from  the  inhabitants,  till  they  came  to  a  part 
where  they  conceived  they  should  be  able  to  cross.  Hav- 
ing constructed  a  catamaran,  as  before,  they  all  passed 
the  river  in  safety,  excepting  the  two  who  had  been 
left  behind  by  the  carpenter's  party,  and  who  were 
afraid  to  venture.  These  unfortunate  men  were  never 
seen  afterwards. 

Having  gained  the  opposite  bank,  the  company  now 
proceeded,  in  an  oblique  direction,  towards  the  shore, 
which  they  reached  about  noon  on  the  third  day.  The 
next  morning,  at  the  ebbing  of  the  tide,  they  procured 
some  shell-fish,  and  having  refreshed  themselves,  they 
pursued  their  journey. 

In  the  course  of  that  day's  march  they  fell  in  with  a 
party  of  the  natives,  belonging,  as  they  imagined,  to  a 
new  nation,  by  whom  they  were  beaten,  and  extremely 


LOSS   OF   THE    GROSVENOR   INDIAMAN.  17 

ill  treated.  To  avoid  their  persecutions  they  concealed 
themselves  in  the  woods  till  the  savages  had  retired, 
when  they  assembled  again  and  resumed  their  march. 
They  had  not  proceeded  far  before  they  perceived  th  * 
prints  of  human  feet  in  the  sand,  from  which  they  con- 
cluded that  their  late  companions  were  before  them. 
In  the  hope  of  rejoining  them  they  traced  their  supposed 
footsteps  for  a  while,  but  soon  lost  them  among  the  rocks 
and  grass. 

After  some  time  they  came  to  another  river,  not 
very  broad,  but  of  considerable  depth,  which  they 
passed  in  safety  on  a  catamaran,  as  before.  Nothing  re- 
markable occurred  during  the  three  following  days  ;  but 
at  the  expiration  of  that  period  they  overtook  the  carpen- 
ter's party,  whose  sufferings  they  found  had  been  even 
more  severe  than  their  own.  The  carpenter  himself  had 
been  poisoned  by  eating  some  kind  of  fruit,  with  the  na- 
ture of  which  he  was  unacquainted :  M.  D'Espinette  and 
M.  Olivier,  worn  out  with  famine  and  fatigue,  had  been 
left  to  their  fate.  The  unfortunate  little  traveller,  Law, 
was  still  with  them,  and  had  hitherto  supported  every 
hardship  in  an  astpnishing  manner. 

Thus  once  more  united  they  proceeded  together  till 
they  came  to  a  sandy  beach,  where  they  found  a 
couple  of  planks  with  a  spike  nail  in  each.  This  con- 
vinced them  that  some  European  ships  had  been  neai 
the  coast,  or  that  they  were  in  the  vicinity  of  some  set- 
tlement. The  nails  were  prizes  of  the  first  consequence ; 
these,  being  flattened  between  two  stones,  were  shaped 
into  something  like  knives,  and,  to  men  in  their  situation, 
were  considered  a  most  valuable  acquisition. 

In  a  short  time  they  came  to  another  river,  on  whose 
banks  they  accidentally  found  fresh  water,  which  induc- 
ed them  to  rest  there  for  the  night.  In  the  morning  they 
crossed  the  river,  and  on  examining  the  sea-shore  they 
found  another  dead  whale,  which  diffused  a  general  joy, 
till  a  large  party  of  natives,  armed  with  lances,  camp 
down  upon  them.  These  people,  however,  perceiving 
the  deplorable  condition  of  the  travellers,  conducted 
themselves  in  such  a  pacific  manner  as  to  dispel  their 
2* 


18  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 

apprehensions.  One  of  them  even  lent  those  who  were 
employed  upon  the  whale  his  lance,  by  means  of  which, 
and  their  two  knives,  they  cut  it  into  junks,  and  carried 
off  a  considerable  quantity,  till  they  could  find  wood  and 
water  to  dress  it. 

On  coming  to  a  river  the  following  day,  another  of  the 
party  drooped,  and  they  were  under  the  cruel  necessity 
of  leaving  him  behind.  Having  plenty  of  provisions,  they 
now  proceeded  four  days  without  intermission,  and  pro- 
curing a  stick,  they  set  about  making  a  kind  of  calendar, 
by  cutting  a  notch  for  every  day ;  but,  in  crossing  a  river, 
this  register  of  time  was  lost,  and  the  care  they  had  taken 
to  compute  their  melancholy  days  was  of  no  avail. 

They  soon  reached  a  new  river,  where  they  halted 
for  the  night.  The  frequent  impediments  of  rivers  much 
retarded  their  progress.  Few  of  these,  however,  are  of 
very  great  magnitude  at  any  distance  from  the  sea ;  but 
as  the  travellers  derived  all  their  subsistence  from  the 
watery  element,  they  were  obliged  to  submit  to  the  in- 
convenience of  passing  them  in  general  where  the  tide 
flowed.  This  will  account  for  difficulties,  from  which, 
had  it  been  practicable,  a  more  inland  course  would  have 
exempted  them. 

As  the  weather  was  very  unfavorable  next  morning, 
some  of  the  company  were  afraid  to  cross  the  river,  upon 
which  Hynes,  and  about  ten  more,  being  impatient  to 
proceed,  swam  across,  leaving  the  rest,  among  whom 
was  master  Law,  behind  them.  Having  gained  the  op- 
posite shore,  they  proceeded  till  they  came  to  a  place 
where  they  met  with  shell-fish,  wood,  and  water.  Here 
they  halted  two  days,  in  expectation  of  the  arrival  of  the 
others ;  but  as  it  still  blew  fresh,  they  concluded  that 
their  more  timorous  companions  had  not  ventured  to 
cross  the  river  ;  therefore  thinking  it  in  vain  to  wait  any 
longer,  they  went  forward. 

They  had  not  travelled  many  hours  before  they  had 
the  good  fortune  to  discover  a  dead  seal  on  the  beach. 
One  of  the  knives  being  in  possession  of  this  party,  they 
cut  up  their  prey,  dressed  part  of  the  flesh  on  the  spot, 
and  carried  the  rest  with  them. 


LOSS    OP    THE   GROSVENOR   INDIAMAN.  19 

The  next  morning  the  party  left  behind  overtook  them. 
It  was  now  conducted  by  the  ship's  steward,  and  in  the 
interval  from  the  recent  separation  it  appeared  that  they 
had  suffered  extremely  from  the  natives,  from  hunger, 
and  fatigue,  and  that  five  of  them  were  no  more.  Thus 
these  unfortunate  men  were  rapidly  losing  some  of  their 
body ;  yet  the  reflection  of  their  forlorn  condition  did  not 
rouse  them  to  the  good  effects  of  unanimity,  which 
alone,  had  it  been  either  a  permanent  principle,  or  en- 
forced by  an  authority  to  which  they  ought  to  have  sub- 
mitted, might  have  saved  them  many  distresses,  and 
would  have  tended  to  the  preservation  of  numbers.  Con- 
cord is  always  strength;  the  contrary,  even  in  the  happi- 
est circumstances,  is  weakness  and  ruin. 

Having  shared  the  remainder  of  the  seal  among  them, 
and  taken  some  repose,  they  again  proceeded  in  one 
body,  and  after  some  time  ca/ne  to  a  lofty  mountain, 
which  it  was  necessary  to  cross,  or  go  round  the  bluff 
point  of  a  rock  on  which  the  surf  beat  with  great  vio-< 
lence.  The  latter  appearing  to  be  much  the  shortest 
passage,  they  chose  it,  but  had  reason  to  repent  their 
determination,  as  they  had  a  miraculous  escape  with 
their  lives.  Some  of  them  not  only  lost  their  provisions, 
but  their  firebrands,  which  they  had  hitherto  carefully 
carried  with  them,  were  extinguished  by  the  waves. 

Dispirited  by  this  essential  loss,  which  was  their  chief 
protection  from  the  wild  beasts,  they  felt  the  misery  of 
their  situation  with  aggravated  force,  and  an  additional 
gloom  clouded  their  future  prospects.  Marching  along 
in  this  disconsolate  mood,  they  fell  in  with  some  female 
natives,  who  immediately  fled.  When  the  travellers 
came  up  to  the  spot  where  these  women  had  been  first 
descried,  they  had  the  satisfaction  to  find  that  the  fire 
on  which  they  had  been  dressing  muscles  was  not  extin- 
guished. With  joy  they  lighted  their  brands,  and  after 
a  few  hours'  repose  pursued  their  course. 

Next  day  they  arrived  at  a  village,  where  the  natives 
offered  to  barter  a  young  bullock  with  them.  The  in- 
side of  a  watch,  some  buttons,  and  other  trifles,  were 
offered  and  readily  accepted  in  exchange ;  the  beast  bo- 


20  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

ing  delivered  up,  was  despatched  by  the  lance  of  one  of 
the  natives.  The  Caffres  were  pleased  to  receive  back 
the  entrails,  and  the  carcass  being  divided  in  the  most 
impartial  manner,  our  people  took  up  their  abode  for 
that  night  near  the  village,  and  the  next  morning  passed 
another  river  on  a  catamaran. 

The  bullock  was  the  only  sustenance  they  had  hitherto 
received  from  the  natives,  by  barter  or  favor,  excepting 
that  the  women  sometimes  gave  the  poor  child  who  ac- 
companied them  some  milk.  Among  the  most  barba- 
rous nations,  the  females,  to  the  honor  of  their  sex,  are 
always  found  to  be  comparatively  humane,  and  never 
was  there  a  more  just  object  of  commiseration  than  mas- 
ter Law.  Hitherto  he  had  got  on  tolerably  well,  through 
the  benevolent  attention  of  his  companions.  He  walked 
when  able,  and  when  tired  they  carried  him  in  turn 
without  a  murmur.  None  ever  obtained  any  food  with- 
out allowing  him  a  share.  When  the  rest  were  collect- 
ing shell-fish  he  was  left  to  watch  the  fire,  and  on  their 
refurn  he  participated  in  the  spoils. 

They  now  entered  a  sandy  desert,  which  they  were 
ten  days  in  passing.  In  this,  desolate  tract  they  had 
many  rivers  to  pass ;  and  had  it  not  been  for  the  supply 
of  food  they  carried  with  them,  they  must  all  have  pe- 
rished. However,  they  had  wood  in  abundance,  seldom 
failed  to  find  water  by  digging  in  the  sand,  and  being 
safe  from  the  apprehensions  of  the  natives,  this  appears 
to  have  been  the  most  pleasant  part  of  their  journey. 

Having  crossed  the  desert,  they  entered  the  territories 
of  a  new  nation,  by  whom  they  were,  sometimes  mal- 
treated, and  at  others  were  suffered  to  pass  without  mo- 
lestation. Being  now  on  the  borders  of  the  ocean,  they 
fell  in  with  a  party  of  the  natives,  who,  by  signs,  ad- 
vised them  to  go  inland ;  and  complying  with  their  di- 
rections, they  soon  arrived  at  a  village,  where  they  found 
only  women  and  children.  The  women  brought  out  a 
little  milk,  which  they  gave  to  master  Law.  It  was 
contained  in  a  small  basket,  curiously  formed  of  rushes, 
and  so  compact  as  to  hold  any  kind  of  liquid.  Here 
they  had  an  opportunity  of  examining  several  huts,  and 


LOSS    OF    THE    GRO6VENOR    INDIAMAN.  21 

observed  the  mode  in  which  the  natives  churn  their  but- 
ter. The  milk  is  put  into  a  leather  bag,  Avhich  is  sus- 
pended in  the  middle  of  the  tent,  and  pushed  backward 
and  forward  by  two  persons,  till  the  butter  arrives  at  a 
proper  consistence.  When  thus  prepared,  they  mix  it 
with  soot,  and  anoint  themselves  with  the  composition, 
which  proves  a  defence  against  the  intense  heat  of  the 
climate,  and  renders  their  limbs  uncommonly  pliant  and 
active. 

While  the  travellers  were  resting  themselves,  the  men 
belonging  to  the  village  returned  from  hunting,  each 
bearing  upon  the  point  of  his  spear  a  piece  of  deer's 
flesh.  They  formed  a  ring  round  the  strangers,  and 
seemed  to  gaze  on  them  with  admiration.  After  having 
satisfied  their  curiosity,  they  produced  two  bowls  of  milk, 
which  they  appeared  willing  to  barter ;  but  as  our  wretch- 
ed countrymen  had  nothing  to  give  in  exchange,  they 
drank  it  up  themselves. 

Scarcely  had  they  finished  their  meal,  when  they  all 
rose  up,  and  in  an  instant  went  off  into  the  woods,  leav- 
ing the  English  under  some  apprehensions  as  to  the 
cause  of  this  sudden  motion.  In  a  short  time,  however, 
they  returned  with  a  deer,  and  though  our  people  ear- 
nestly entreated  to  be  permitted  to  partake  of  the  spoil, 
the  natives  not  only  disregarded  their  solicitations,  but 
likewise  insisted  on  their  quitting  the  kraal.  This  they 
were  obliged  to  comply  with,  and  after  walking  a  few 
miles  they  lay  down  to  rest. 

For  several  days  they  pursued  their  journey  without 
any  remarkable  occurrence.  They  frequently  fell  in 
with  the  natives,  who  had  great  numbers  of  oxen,  but 
they  would  part  with  nothing  without  a  return,  which 
was  not  in  the  power  of  the  travellers  to  make.  They 
had,  however,  the  negative  satisfaction  of  not  being  an- 
noyed in  their  progress.  They  now  came  to  another 
river,  where  they  saw  three  or  four  huts,  containing  only 
women  and  children.  The  flesh  of  sea-cows  and  sea- 
lions  was  hanging  up  to  dry,  of  which  the  women  gave 
the  travellers  a  part.  They  slept  that  night  at  a  small 
distance  from  these  huts. 


22  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

Next  morning,  Hynes  and  nine  others  swam  across 
the  river,  but  the  rest  were  too  timorous  to  make  the 
attempt.  Those  who  had  crossed  the  river  soon  after- 
wards had  the  good  fortune  to  observe  a  seal  asleep,  just 
at  high- water  mark,  and  having  cut  off  his  retreat,  they 
found  means  to  kill  him.  Having  divided  the  flesh,  they 
travelled  four  or  five  days,  occasionally  falling  in  with 
the  natives,  who,  upon  the  whole,  behaved  with  tolerable 
forbearance. 

.  They  now  arrived  at  another  river,  which  they  were 
obliged  to  cross,  and  proceeding  on  their  route,  the  next 
day  found  a  whale ;  and  thus  being  well  supplied  with 
provisions  they  resolved  to  halt  for  their  companions; 
but  after  waiting  in  vain  two  days  they  proceeded  with- 
out them.  They  afterwards  found  that  their  compa- 
nions had  taken  a  more  inland  route,  and  had  got  be- 
fore them.  Having,  therefore,  cut  up  as  much  of  the 
whale  as  they  could  carry,  and  being  much  refreshed, 
they  proceeded  with  alacrity,  having  now  no  necessity 
to  loiter  in  quest  of  food. 

Thus  they  travelled  for  more  than  a  week,  and  in 
their  way  discovered  some  pieces  of  rags,  which  satisfied 
them  that  their  late  associates  had  got  the  start  of  them. 
They  now  entered  an  extensive  sandy  desert,  and  find- 
ing, towards  the  close  of  the  first  day,  but  little  prospect  of 
obtaining  either  wood  or  water,  they  were  much  disheart- 
ened. To  their  joy,  however,  at  the  entrance  of  a  deep 
gully  they  saw  the  following  words  traced  on  the  sand : 
Turn  in  here  and  you  will  find  plenty  of  wood  and  water. 
This  cheered  them  like  a  revelation  from  heaven,  and  on 
entering  the  gully  they  found  the  notification  verified, 
and  the  remains  of  several  fires,  which"  assured  them 
that  their  late  companions  had  reposed  in  the  same  place. 

They  proceeded  several  days,  proportionably  exhaust- 
ed with  fatigue  as  they  advanced,  but  without  any 
memorable  occurrence.  They  now  came  to  a  bluff  point 
of  a  rock,  which  projected  so  far  into  the  sea  as  to  ob- 
struct their  progress,  so  that  they  were  obliged  to  direct 
their  course  more  inland.  To  add  to  their  distress,  their 
provisions  were  again  exhausted,  when,  arriving  at  a 


LOSS    OF   THE   GROSVENOR   INDIAMAN.  23 

large  pond,  they  luckily  found  a  number  of  land-crabs, 
snails,  and  some  sorrel  in  the  vicinity,  and  on  these  they 
made  a  satisfactory  meal. 

As  soon  as  it  dawned  they  resumed  their  journey,  and 
entering  a  wood,  they  observed  many  of  the  trees  torn 
up  by  the  roots.  While  they  were  lost  in  amazement  at 
this  phenomenon,  to  their  terror  and  astonishment  thirty 
or  forty  large  elephants  started  up  out  of  the  long  grass, 
with"  Avhich  the  ground  was  covered.  The  travellers 
stood  some  moments  in  suspense,  whether  they  would 
retreat  or  advance ;  but,  by  taking  a  circuitous  course, 
they  passed  these  enormous  creatures  without  any 
injury.  The  grass  in  which  they  lay  was  not  less  than 
eight  or  nine  feet  high.  This  may  appear  strange  to 
those  who  are  not  acquainted  with  the  luxuriant  vege- 
tation of  tropical  climates,  but  other  travellers,  of  un- 
questionable veracity,  have  made  the  same  remarks  on 
Africa. 

Having  reached  the  sea-shore  that  night,  our  travel- 
lers were  miserably  disappointed  by  the  state  of  the 
tide,  which  deprived  them  of  their  usual  supplies  of 
shell-fish.  To  such  extremities  were  they,  in  conse- 
quence, reduced,  that  some  of  them,  who  had  'made 
shoes  of  the  hide  of  the  bullock  obtained  in  barter  from 
the  natives,  ringed  off  the  hair,  broiled  and  eat  them. 
This  unsavory  dish  they  rendered  as  palatable  as  possi- 
ble by  means  of  some  wild  celery  they  found  on  the  spot, 
and  the  whole  party  partook  of  it. 

At  low  water  they  went  as  usual  to  the  rocjcs  to  pro- 
euro  shell-fish ;  and  as  they  proceeded  they  often  per- 
ceived evident  traces  of  that  division  of  their  party  which 
had  got  the  start  of  them.  In  two  days'  time  they  fell  in 
with  a  hunting  party  of  the  natives,  who  offered  no  mo- 
lestation to  our  people  as  they  passed,  and  for  several 
days  they  everywhere  behaved  with  the  same  forbear- 
ance. 

After  passing  two  rivers,  and  finding  no  fresh  water 
near  them,  they  entered  a  sterile  country,  where  the  na- 
tives appeared  to  have  nothing  to  subsist  on  but  what 
they  derived  from  hunting  and  fishing.  What  then 


24  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 

must  hare  been  the  situation  of  our  travellers !  They 
had  not  a  drop  of  water  for  several  days ;  and  a  few 
berries  which  they  occasionally  picked  up  were  the 
only  alleviation  of  their  burning  thirst.  However,  they 
soon  reached  CafFraria,  properly  so  called,  which  they 
found  to  be  a  fine  and  populous  country. 

During  their  march  through  this  territory  our  travel- 
lers were  absolutely  starving  in  the  midst  of  plenty. 
They  saw  abundance  of  cattle,  but  so  tenacious  were 
the  natives  of  their  property,  that  they  would  not  part 
with  any  thing  gratuitously,  and  our  people  had  nothing 
to  give  in  barter.  So  apprehensive  were  the  ^affres, 
lest  these  poo/  vagrants  might  commit  depredations, 
that  they  constantly  secured  their  cattle  as  they  ap- 
proached, and  even  used  violence  to  keep  them  at  a  dis- 
tance. So  true  it  is  that  in  all  countries  poverty  is  con- 
sidered rather  as  a  crime  than  a  misfortune,  and  that  he 
who  has  nothing  to  bestow  is  immediately  suspected 
of  an  intention  to  take  away. 

But  the  CafFres  have  been  characterized  as  a  humane 
and  inoffensive  people.  How  are  we  then  to  reconcile 
this  description  with  the  conduct  they  displayed  to  our 
countrymen  ?  May  not  the  idea,  that  they  were  Dutch- 
men, solve  the  difficulty  ?  Between  the  Caffres  and  the 
Dutch  colonists  an  inveterate  enmity  subsisted  at  that 
period.  The  Caffres  had  been  treated  with  unparalleled 
cruelty  and  oppression  by  the  white  people,  with  whom 
they  were  conversant ;  all  white  people  were,  therefore, 
probably  regarded  as  enemies.  Among  uncivilized  na- 
tions, wherever  any  intercourse  has  been  established 
with  Europeans,  the  characters  of  the  latter,  in  general, 
have  been  determined  from  the  conduct  of  a  worthless 
few.  Thus,  as  on  other  important  occasions,  many  suf- 
fer for  the  vices  of  individuals. 

Our  travellers,  everywhere  repelled,  or  regarded  with 
apprehension,  at  length  came  to  a  river,  and  having 
crossed  it,  were  met  by  a  party  of  the  natives,  one  of 
whom  had  adorned  his  hair  with  a  piece  of  a  silver 
buckle,  which  was  known  to  have  belonged  to  the  slr~' 
cook.  It  seems  the  cook,  who  set  a  particular  value  •. 


LOSS   OP    THE   GROSVENOR   INDIAMAN.  25 

on  his  buckles,  had  covered  them  with  bits  of  cloth,  to 
conceal  them  from  the  natives ;  but  at  length  hunger 
had  compelled  him  to  break  them  up,  in  order  to  barter 
them  for  food :  but  no  sooner  was  the  price  deposited 
than  the  natives  broke  their  engagement,  as  had  been 
their  general  practice,  except  in  one  solitary  instance,  and 
drove  the  claimants  away. 

Hynes  and  his  party  were  roughly  handled  by  the  na- 
tives they  had  fallen  in  with.  To  avoid  their  persecu- 
tion, they  travelled  till  late  at  night,  and  after  reposing 
for  a  few  hours,  they  recommenced  their  journey  before 
it  was^ight,  that  they  might  escape  a  repetition  of  their 
ill  treatment. 

Next  day,  about  noon,  they  reached  a  spot  where  there 
was  good  water,  and  a  probability  of  finding  an  abun- 
dance of  shell-fish ;  here,  being  much  fatigued,  they  de- 
termined to  spend  the  night.  While  in  this  situation 
they  were  overtaken  by  a  tremendous  storm  of  thunder 
and  lightning,  and  the  rain  poured  down  in  such  tor- 
rents that  they  were  obliged  to  hold  up  their  canvass 
frocks  over  the  fire  to  save  it  from  being  extinguished. 
Next  day,  at  low  water,  they  found  shell-fish,  as  usual, 
staid  some  time  to  dry  their  clothes,  and  then  resumed 
their  journey.  Coming  to  a  large  village  the  inhabitants 
fell  upon  them  with  such  fury,  that  several  of  them  were 
wounded,  in  consequence  of  which,  one  man  died  soon 
afterwards.  Hynes  received  a  wound  in  his  leg  from  a 
lance,  and  being  knocked  down,  was  left  senseless  on 
the  spot  by  his  companions,  who  supposed  him  to  be 
dead.  However,  in  a  few  hours,  to  their  great  joy,  he 
rejoined  his  countrymen,  who  had  despaired  of  ever  see- 
ing him  again. 

From  this  time  they  lost  sight  of  the  habitations  of  the 
natives,  and  entered  a  sandy  desert,  where  it  was  with 
the  utmost  difficulty  they  could  procure  any  sustenance. 
At  intervals,  indeed,  they  experienced  the  usual  bounty 
of  the  sea,  and  having  collected  as  many  shell-fish  as 
possible,  they  opened  them  in  the  fire,  and  taking  out 
the  animal,  left  the  shells,  which  greatly  diminished  the 
labor  of  carriage. 
3 


26  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

Having  passed  the  desert,  they  arrived  at  a  large 
river,  which,  as  they  afterwards  learned  from  the  Dutch, 
is  called  Bosjesman's  river.  Here  they  found  Thomas 
Lewis,  one  of  the  party  which  had  gone  before  them, 
who,  having  been  taken  ill,  was  abandoned  to  his  fate. 
He  informed  them  that  he  had  travelled  inland  and  seen 
many  huts,  at  one  of  which  he  obtained  a  little  milk, 
and  at  another  was  beaten  away.  He  added,  that  hav- 
ing reached  the  place  where  he  now  was,  he  found  him- 
self too  weak  to  cross  the  river,  and  was,  therefore,  de- 
termined to  return  to  the  nearest  kraal,  indifferent  as  to 
his  reception  or  his  life.  In  vain  his  companions  strove 
to  overcome  this  determination.  They  flattered  him  » 
with  the  hope  of  yet  being  able  to  reach  the  Cape,  but 
their  encouragement  was  ineffectual.  Both  his  body 
and  mind  were  broken  down ;  he  had  drained  the  cup 
of  affliction  to  the  dregs ;  despair  had  laid  her  iron  hand 
upon  him,  and  sealed  him  for  her  own.  In  spite  of  all 
their  entreaties  he  went  back  to  the  natives,  and  once 
more  had  the  good  fortune  to  receive  -assistance,  when 
he  could  least  of  all  expect  it,  and  in  such  a  shape  as 
proved  effectual  to  his  preservation.  But  we  are  antici- 
pating events. 

On  exploring  the  sea-coast,  our  people,  to  their  great 
joy,  discovered  another  whale,  and  having  cut  the  flesh 
into  junks,  took  with  them  as  much  of  it  as  they  were 
able  to  carry.  Again  losing  sight  of  the  natives  and 
their  huts,  tney  were  kept  in  perpetual  alarm  by  the 
wild  beasts,  which  were  here  more  numerous  than  in 
any  part  of  the  country  through  which  they  had  hitherto 
passed. 

On  the  fourth  day,  after  passing  the  river,  they  over- 
took the  ship's  steward  and  master  Law,  who  still  sur- 
vived inexpressible  hardships.  From  them  they  learned 
that  the  cooper  had  been  buried  the  preceding  evening 
in  the  sand ;  but  when  Hynes  and  the  steward  went  to 
take  a  farewell  view  of  the  spot,  they  found,  to  their  sur- 
prise and  horror,  that  the  body  had  been  carried  off  by 
some  carnivorous  animal,  which  had  evidently  dragged 
it  to  a  considerable  distance. 


LOSS    OF    THE    GROSVENOR    INDIAMAN.  27 

Hynes'  party  presented  the  steward  and  child  with 
some  of  the  flesh  of  the  whale,  by  which  they  were  much 
refreshed;  and  for  eight  or  ten  days  more  they  all  pro- 
ceeded in  company.  At  length  they  came  to  a  point  of 
rocks,  and  as  the  whale  was  by  this  time  wholly  con- 
sumed, they  went  round  the  edge  in  search  of  such  sus- 
tenance as  the  sea  might  afford.  This  took  up  so  much 
time  that  they  were  obliged  to  sleep  on  the  rock,  where 
they  could  procure  no  water  but  what  was  very  brackish. 
In  the  morning  the  steward  and  child  were  both  taken 
ill,  and  being  unable  to  proceed,  the  party  agreed  to  halt 
till  the  next  day.  The  extreme  coldness  of  the  rock  on 
which  they  had  slept  produced  a  sensible  effect  on  them 
all :  the  steward  and  child  still  continued  very  ill.  Their 
companions,  therefore,  agreed  to  wait  another  day,  when, 
if  no  favorable  turn  took  place,  they  would  be  under  the 
painful  necessity  of  abandoning  them  to  their  fate.  But 
their  humanity  was  not  put  to  this  severe  test,  for  in  the 
course  of  the  following  night  this  poor  child  resigned 
his  breath,  and  ceased  any  longer  to  share  their  fatigues 
and  sorrows.  They  had  left  him,  as  they  supposed, 
asleep,  near  the  fire  round  which  they  had  all  rested 
during  the  night;  but  when  they  had  made  their  ar- 
rangements for  breakfast,  and  wished  to  call  him  to 
participate,  they  found  that  his  soul  had  taken  its  flight 
to  another  world. 

Forgetting  their  own  misery  they  sensibly  felt  for  the 
loss  of  this  tender  youth,  and  the  affliction  of  the  stew- 
ard in  particular  was  inexpressible.  This  child  had 
been  the  object  of  his  fondest  care,  during  a  long  and 
perilcfcis  journey,  and  it  was  with  the  utmost  difficulty 
that  his  companions  could  tear  him  from  the  spot. 

They  had  not  proceeded  far  before  one  of  the  party 
asked  for  a  shell  of  water,  which  being  given  him,  he 
solicited  a  second,  and  as  soon  as  he  had  drunk  it,  lay 
down  and  instantly  expired.  So  much  were  they  ha- 
bituated to  scenes  of  distress,  that,  by  this  time,  death 
had  ceased  to  be  regarded  as  shocking  ;  it  was  even  con- 
sidered by  them  as  a  consummation  rather  to  be  wished 
for  than  dreaded.  They  left  the  poor  man  where  he  drop- 


28  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 

ped,  and  had  not  advanced  far,  when  another  complain- 
ed of  extreme  weakness,  and  sat  down  upon  the  sand  by 
the  sea-side.  Him  too  they  left,  compelled  by  severe 
necessity,  in  order  to  seek  for  wood  and  water,  pro- 
mising, if  they  were  successful,  to  return  to  assist  him. 

Having  sought  in  vain  for  a  comfortable  resting-place 
for  the  night,  they  were  all  obliged  to  repose  on  the 
sands.  Recollecting  the  situation  of  their  comrade,  one 
of  the  party  went  back  to  the  spot  where  he  had  been 
left,  but  the  unhappy  man  was  not  to  be  found ;  and  as 
he  had  nothing  to  shelter  or  protect  him,  it  is  more  than 
probable  that  he  was  carried  off  by  wUd  beasts. 

With  the  first  approach  of  day  they  resumed  their 
journey,  but  their  situation  was  now  more  deplorable 
than  ever.  Having  had  no  water  since  the  middle  of 
the  preceding  day,  they  suffered  exceedingly  from  thirst, 
the  glands  of  their  throats  and  their  mouths  were  much 
swollen ;  and  in  the  extremity  of  thirst  they  were  in- 
duced to  swallow  their  own  urine. 

This  was  the  crisis  of  calamity.  The  misery  they 
now  underwent  was  too  shocking  to  relate.  Having 
existed  for  two  days  without  food  or  water,  they  were 
reduced  to'  such  an  extremity  that  when  any  of  them 
could  not  furnish  himself  with  a  draught  of  urine,  he 
would  borrow  a  shell  full  of  his  more  fortunate  compa- 
nion till  he  was  able  to  repay  it.  The  steward,  whose 
benevolence  ought  to  immortalize  his  memory,  now  fol- 
lowed his  little  favorite  to  another  world.  In  short,  to 
such  a  state  of  wretchedness  were  they  riow  reduced, 
that  death  was  stripped  of  all  its  terrors.  » 

Next  morning  two  more  of  the  party  were  reduced  to 
a  very  languid  state ;  one  of  them,  unable  to  proceed  a 
step  farther,  lay  down,  and  his  companions,  incapable 
of  affording  him  any  assistance,  took  an  affectionate  fare- 
well, and  left  him  to  expire. 

Towards  evening  they  reached  a  deep  gully,  which 
they  entered,  in  the  hope  of  meeting  with  fresh  water. 
Here  they  found  another  of  the  Grosvenor's  crew  lying 
dead,  with  his  right  hand  cut  off  at  the  wrist.  A  cir- 
cumstance so  singular  could  not  fail  to  attract  the  notice 


LOSS    OP    THE   GROSVENOR    INDIAMAN.  29 

of  his  companions,  especially  as  they  recollected  that  it 
had  been  the  common  asseveration  of  the  deceased, — 
May  the  devil  cut  my  right  arm  off  if  it  be  not  true !  It 
had  a  sensible  effect  upon  his  comrades  for  a  time,  as 
they  superstitiously  imagined  that  Providence  had  inter- 
fered, by  a  miracle,  to  show  its  indignation  against  his 
profaneness.  One  of  the  company,  who  had  lost  his  own 
clothes  in  crossing  a  river,  took  the  opportunity  of  sup- 
plying himself  by  stripping  the  dead  man,  and  then  they 
proceeded  till  night,  without  any  other  sustenance  than, 
what  their  own  water  afforded  them. 

Next  day  brought  no  alleviation  of  their  miseries. 
Necessity  impelled  them  to  proceed,  though  hope  scarce- 
ly darted  a  ray  through  the  gloom  of  their  prospects. 
The  whole  party  was,  at  last,  reduced  to  three  persons, 
Hynes,  Evans,  and  Wormington,  and  these  could  hope 
to  survive  their  companions  only  a  very  few  days. 
Their  faculties  rapidly  declined,  they  could  scarcely  hear 
or  see,  and  a  vertical  sun  darted  its  beams  so  intensely 
upon  them,  that  it  was  with  the  utmost  difficulty  they 
could  proceed. 

Their  misery,  from  thirst,  now  became  so  intolerable, 
that  Wormington  earnestly  importuned  his  companions 
to  determine  by  lot  which  of  them  should  die,  in  order 
that  the  others  might  be  preserved  by  drinking  his  blood. 
Hynes,  though  almost  childish,  was  shocked  at  the  pro- 
posal; his  tears  flowed  abundantly,  and  he  declared, 
that  as  long  as  he  was  able  to  walk  he  could  not  think 
of  casting  lots ;  but  that,  if  he  should  be  obliged  to  drop, 
theyjnight  then  use  him  as  they  pleased.  Upon  this, 
Wormington,  shaking  hands  with  Hynes  and  Evans, 
suffered  them  to  proceed  without  him. 

Every  hour  now  seemed  to  throw  a  deeper  gloom  over 
their  fate ;  nature  could  support,  no  more.  Hynes  and 
Evans,  however,  made  another  effort  to  advance,  with- 
out even  indulging  a  hope  of  the  possibility  of  relief. 
They  this  day  saw  something  before  them  which  had 
the  appearance  of  large  birds,  but  their  surprise  may  be 
conceived,  when  upon  a  nearer  approach  they  discovered 
them  to  be  men.  Nearly  blind  and  idiots,  they  did  not 
3* 


80  REMARKABLE  SHIPWRECKS. 

at  first  recollect  their  newly  found  companions,  but  after 
some  time  they  recognised  in  them  four  of  the  steward's 
party  from  which  they  had  been  separated.  One  of 
them,  a  boy,  named  Price, -  advanced  to  meet  them,  and 
gave  them  the  pleasing  information,  that  his  associates 
had  fresh  water  in  their  possession.  This  inspired  them 
with  new  life,  and  reciprocal  inquiries  were  made  rela- 
tive to  the  fate  of  their  lost  companions.  The  three 
men  whom  Hynes  and  his  companion  had  overtaken 
were  named  Berney,  Leary,  and  De  Lasso,  who  hearing 
that  Wormington  was  left  behind,  the  two  latter  went  in 
search  of  him,  charging  those  who  remained  not  to  suf- 
fer Hynes  and  Evans  to  drink  too  freely  of  the  water, 
as  several  had  expired  from  the  eagerness  with  which 
they  swallowed  that  fluid  after  long  abstinence. 

Wormington  was  recovered  by  the  humanity  of  those 
who  went  in  search  of  him,  and  a  painful  detail  of  suf- 
ferings succeeded.  It  appeared  that  the  captain's  stew- 
ard had  been  buried  in  the  sand  of  the  last  desert  over 
which  they  passed,  and  that  the  survivors  were  reduced 
to  such  extremity,  that  after  his  interment  two  of  the 
party  were  sent  back  to  cut  off  his  flesh  for  their  immedi- 
ate support ;  but  while  proceeding  upon  this  horrid  er- 
rand, they  had  the  good  fortune  to  discover  a  young 
seal,  newly  driven  on  shore,  and  I  fresh  bleeding,  which 
proved  a  most  seasonable  relief.  They  farther  stated, 
that  they  had  obtained  shell-fish  in  the  sand,  when  none 
were  to  be  seen  upon  it,  by  observing  the  manner  in 
which  the  birds  scratched  for  them.  Without  this  dis- 
covery they  must  inevitably  have  perished. 

Hynes  and  Evans,  recounting  their  adventures  to  the 
party  they  had  joined,  among  other  circumstances  men- 
tioned that  the  ship's  steward,  whom  they  had  left  to 
expire  on  the  road,  had  on  very  decent  clothes.  This 
tempted  one  of  them  to  propose  to  Evans,  who  was  by 
this  time  pretty  well  recovered,  to  go  back  to  the  spot 
and  strip  the  body,  but  the  steward  could  not  be  found, 
and  they  concluded  that  the  wild  beasts  had  anticipated 
their  design.  In  the  evening  Evans  returned,  but  with- 
out his  companion,  who  had  been  so  indolent  and  ad- 


LOSS   OP   THE   GROSVENOR  INDIAMAN.  31 

fanced  with  such  a  slow  pace,  that  the  former  was 
obliged  to  leave  him  behind.  As  he"  was  never  seen 
afterwards,  no  doubt  can  be  entertained  but  that  he  like- 
wise fell  a  victim  to  the  ravenous  beasts.  These  were 
so  numerous  as  to  be  seen  in  troops  of  twenty  or  more ; 
and  it  was  the  common  and  effectual  practice  of  the 
travellers  to  shout  as  loud  as  possible  to  drive  away  those 
formidable  animals. 

Having  now  arrived  at  a  favorable  spot  for  water  and 
shell-fish,  they  employed  two  days  in  collecting  provi- 
sions for  their  future  march,  and  in  refreshing  themselves. 
Rest  and  food  had  an  astonishing  effect  in  restoring  not 
only  the  powers  of  the  body,  but  of  the  mind ;  and  in  a 
short  time  they  thought  themselves  qualified  to  encounter 
new  fatigues. 

With  extreme  difficulty  and  danger  they  passed  a  large 
river,  supposed  to  be  the  Sontag,  on  a  catamaran,  and 
having  reached  the  opposite  shore,  they  looked  back 
with  terror  and  amazement  on  their  fortunate  escape 
from  being  driven  out  to  sea  by  the  rapidity  of  the 
stream.  Here  they  likewise  found  a  kind  of  shell-fish 
which  buries  itself  in  the  sand,  and  which  increased 
their  supplies. 

The  united  party,  consisting  of  six  persons,  pursued 
their  route  over  a  desert  country,  where  neither  hut  nor 
native  was  to  be  seen,  and  in  six  days  reached  the 
Schwartz  river,  as  they  afterwards  learned,  on  the  banks 
of  which  they  took  up  their  abode  for  the  night. 

The  country,  at  length,  began  to  assume  a  fertile  and 
cultivated  appearance,  and  some  huts  appeared  at  a  dis- 
tance from  the  shore.  While  contemplating  with  plea- 
sure this  change  of  prospect,  the  grass  near  them  took 
fire,  and  spread  with  great  rapidity.  They  all  used 
every  effort  to  extinguish  it,  lest  this  involuntary  mis- 
chief should  provoke  the  resentment  of  the  natives,  or 
the  blaze  call  them  to  the  spot. 

Next  morning  they  swam  over  the  river  in  safety,  and 
soon  discovered  another  dead  whale  lying  on  the  sea- 
shore. Thus  supplied  with  food  they  purposed  resting 
here  a  few  days,  if  they  could  have  found  fresh 


32  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 

but  that  necessary  article  being  wanting,  they  cut  up  as 
much  of  the  whale  as  they  could  carry,  and  proceeded 
on  their  route.  In  two  hours  they  came  to  a  thicket, 
where  they  met  with  water,  and  halted  to  rest. 

Next  morning  four  of  the  party  went  back  to  the 
whale  for  a  larger  supply,  De  Lasso  and  Price  being  left 
in  charge  of  the  fire.  As  Price  was  collecting  fuel  he 
perceived  at  a  little  distance  two  men  with  guns,  and 
being  intimidated  at  the  sight,  he  returned  hastily  to 
the  fire,  whither  the  welcome  intruders  pursued  him. 
These  men  belonged  to  a  Dutch  settlement  in  the  neigh- 
borhood, and  were  in  search  of  some  strayed  cattle.  One 
of  them,  named  John  Battores,  supposed  to  be  a  Portu- 
guese, was  able  to  converse  with  De  Lasso,  the  Italian, 
so  as  to  be  understood ;  a  circumstance  as  fortunate  as  it 
was  little  to  be  expected.  Battores  having  learned  the 
outline  of  their  melancholy  story,  accompanied  them 
to  the  whale,  where  their  companions  were  employed 
in  cutting  away  the  flesh.  Affected  at  the  sight  of 
these  miserable  objects,  he  desired  them  to  throw  away 
what  they  had  been  collecting,  promising  them  better 
fare  when  they  reached  the  habitation  to  which  he  be- 
longed. 

In  vain  shall  we  attempt  to  describe  the  sensations  of 
the  shipwrecked  wanderers  on  receiving  this  intelligence, 
and  that  they  were  within  four  hundred  miles  of  the 
Cape.  The  joy  that  instantly  filled  every  bosom  pro- 
duced effects  as  various  as  extraordinary :  one  man 
laughed,  another  wept,  and  the  third  danced  with  trans- 
port. 

On  reaching  the  house  of  Mynheer  Christopher  Koos- 
tooff,  to  whom  Battores  was  bailiff,  ^they  were  treated 
with  the  kindest  attention.  The  master,  on  being  ac- 
quainted with  their  distress,  immediately  ordered  bread 
and  milk  to  be  set  before  them ;  but  acting  rather  on 
principles  of  humanity  than  prudence,  he  furnished  them 
such  a  quantity  that  their  weak  stomachs  were  over- 
loaded. After  their  meal,  sacks  were  spread  upon  the 
ground  for  them  to  repose  on. 

It  iiad  been  so  long  since  they  had  known  any  thing 


LOSS   OF    THE   GROSVENOR   INDIAMAN.  33 

of  the  calculation  of  time,  that  they  were  unacquainted 
even  with  the  name  of  the  month ;  and  they  were  given 
to  understand,  that  the  day  of  their  deliverance  was  the 
twenty-ninth  of  November ;  so  that  one  hundred  and 
seventeen  days  had  revolved  their  melancholy  hours 
since  they  were  shipwrecked ;  a  period  of  suffering  al- 
most unparalleled,  and  during  which  they  had  often 
been  miraculously  preserved. 

Next  morning  Mynheer  Roostooff  killed  a  sheep  for 
the  entertainment  of  his  guests,  and  another  Dutchman, 
of  the  name  of  Quin,  came  with  a  cart  and  six  horses 
to  convey  them  towards  the  Cape.  The  boy,  Price,  be- 
ing lame,  from  the  hardships  he  had  undergone,  was  de- 
tained at  Roostooff 's  house,  who  kindly  undertook  his 
cure,  and  promised  to  send  him  after  the  others  when 
he  had  recovered.  •  The  rest  of  the  party  proceeded  to 
Q,uin's  house,  where  they  were  hospitably  entertained 
four  days. 

From  that  time  they  were  forwarded  in  carts,  from 
one  settlement  to  another,  till  they  arrived  at  Swellen- 
dam,  about  one  hundred  miles  from  the  Cape.  Wher- 
ever they  passed  they  experienced  the  humanity  of  the 
farmers,  and  their  wants  were  relieved  with  a  liberal 
hand. 

At  Swellendam  they  were  detained  till  orders  should 
be  received  from  the  governor  at  the  Cape,  in  regard  to 
their  future  destiny,  Holland  and  Great  Britain  being  at 
that  time  at  war.  At  length  two  of  the  party  were  or- 
dered to  be  forwarded  to  the  Cape,  in  order  to  be  ex- 
amined, while  the  rest  were  to  remain  at  Swellendam. 
Accordingly  Wormington,  and  Leary  proceeded  to  the 
Cape,  where,  after  being  strictly  interrogated,  they  were 
sent  on  board  a  Dutch  man-of-war  lying  in  the  bay,  with 
orders  that  they  should  be  set  to  work.  While  in  this 
situation,  Wormington  having  discovered  that  the  boat- 
swain was  engaged  in  some  fraudulent  practices,  impru- 
dently threatened  to  give  information,  on  which  the  boat- 
swain, desiring  him  and  his  companion  to  step  into  a  boat, 
conveyed  them  on  board  a  Danish  East  Indiaman,  just 
getting  under  way,  and  by  this  fortunate  incident  they 
first  reached  their  native  land. 


34  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

But  to  return  to  the  fate  of  the  rest.  Though  the 
flames  of  war  were  raging  between  the  two  nations, 
the  Dutch  government,  at  the  Cape,  being  informed  of 
the  particulars  of  the  loss  of  the  Grosvenor,  with  a  hu- 
manity which  does  them  infinite  honor,  despatched  a 
large  party  in  quest  of  the  unhappy  wanderers.  This 
detachment  consisted  of  one  hundred  Europeans,  and 
three  hundred  Hottentots,  attended  by  a  great  number 
of  wagons,  each  drawn  by  eight  bullocks.  The  com- 
mand was  given  to  captain  Muller,.  with  orders  to  pro- 
ceed, if  possible,  to  the  wreck,  and  load  with  such  articles 
as  might  be  saved,  and  to  endeavor  to  discover  such  of 
the  sufferers  as  were  still  wandering  about  the  country, 
or  in  the  hands  of  the  natives. 

De  Lasso  and  Evans  accompanied  this  expedition  as 
guides ;  but  Hynes,  being  still  very  weak,  was  left  at 
Swellendam.  The  party  was  well  provided  with  such 
articles  as  were  most  likely  to  insure  them  a  favorable 
reception  from  the  natives,  and  procure  the  liberty  of 
the  unfortunate  persons  they  might  find  in  their  way. 
They  proceeded  with  spirit  and  alacrity,  till  the  Caffres, 
in  consequence  of  their  antipathy  to  the  colonists,  inter- 
rupted the  expedition.  In  their  progress  they  found 
Thomas  Lewis,  who  had  been  abandoned  by  his  com- 
panions, as  before  mentioned,  and  William  Hatterly,  who 
was  servant  to  the  second  mate,  and  had  continued  with 
that  party  till  he  alone  survived.  Thus  the  fate  of  one 
division  was  ascertained. 

At  other  places  on  the  road  thay  met  with  seven  las- 
cars,  and  two  black  women,  one  of  whom  was  servant 
to  Mrs.  Logie,  and  the  other  to  Mrs.  Hosea.  From  these 
women  they  learned,  that  soon  after  Hynes'  party  had 
left  the  captain  and  the  ladies,  they  also  took  separate 
routes ;  the  latter  intending  to  join  the  lascars,  but  what 
became  of  them  after  this  separation  was  unknown. 
They,  indeed,  saw  the  captain's  coat  on  one  of  the  na- 
tives, but  whether  he  died  or  was  killed  could  never  be 
discovered. 

After  the  enmity  of  the  natives  prevented  the  progress 
of  the  wagons,  some  of  the  party  travelled  forward  fifteen 


LOSS   OF   THE   QROSVENOR   INDIAMAN.  35 

days  on  horseback,  in  the  prosecution  of  their  plan,  but 
the  Caffres  still  continuing  to  harass  them,  they  were 
obliged  to  return,  after  an  absence  of  about  three  months. 

Captain  Muller  returned  to  -  Swellendam,  with  the 
three  Englishmen,  the  seven  lascars,  and  two  black  wo- 
men, the  boy,  Price,  and  the  two  guides,  De  Lasso  and 
Evans.  The  people  of  color  were  detained  at  Swellen- 
dam ;  but  the  English  were  forwarded  to  the  Cape,  where, 
after  being  examined  by  the  governor,  they  were  permit- 
ted to  take  their  passage  to  Europe  in  a  Danish  ship,  tho 
captain  of  which  promised  to  land  them  in  England, 
but,  excepting  Price,  who  was  set  on  shore  at  Weymouth, 
they  were  all  carried  to  Copenhagen,  from  whence  they 
at  last  found  their  way  to  England. 

Such  was  the  termination  of  the  adventures  of  these 
unfortunate  people ;  but  the  inquiry  concerning  the  fate 
of  the  captain  and  his  party  was-  not  dropped.  Though 
it  is  probable  that  before  the  first  Dutch  expedition  could 
have  reached  them  they  had  all  paid  the  debt  of  nature; 
rumors  had  been  spread  that  several  of  the  English  were 
still  in  captivity  among  the  natives,  and  these  obtained 
such  general  belief,  that  M.  Vailant,  whose  philanthropy 
equalled  his  genius  and  resolution,  made  another  attempt 
to  discover  the  reputed  captives ;  but  he  could  learn  no- 
thing decisive  as  to  their  situation  or  final  fate. 

The  public  mind,  however,  continued  still  to  be  agi- 
tated, and  the  interest  which  all  nations  took  in  the  fate 
of  the  unhappy  persons,  particularly  the  women,  some 
of  whom  it  was  reported  had  been  seen,  induced  a  second 
party  of  Dutch  colonists,  with  the  sanction  of  govern- 
ment, to  make  another  effort  to  explore  the  country,  and 
to  reach  the  wreck. 

These  men,  amply  provided,  set  out  on  the  twenty- 
fourth  of  August,  1793,  from  Kaffer  Keyl's  river,  to- 
wards cape  Natal,  on  the  coast  of  which  the  Grosvenor 
was  supposed  to  have  been  wrecked.  Of  this  expedition 
we  have  a  journal  kept  by  Van  Reenen,  one  of  the  party, 
and  published  by  captain  Riou.  It  would  not  be  gene- 
rally interesting  to  the  reader  to  give  the  meagre  details 
of  distance  travelled,  and  elephants  killed ;  of  danger 


36  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

encountered,  and  rivers  crossed ;  we  shall  therefore  con- 
fine ourselves  to  such  incidents  as  appear  to  deserve  no- 
tice, or  are  connected  with  the  melancholy  subject  of  our 
narrative. 

After  proceeding  an  immense  way,  on  the  third  of 
November  they  arrived  among  the  Hambonaas,  a  nation 
quite  different  from  the  Caffres.  They  have  a  yellow 
complexion,  and  their  long,  coarse  hair  is  frizzled  up  in 
the  form  of  a  turban.  Some  of  these  people  informed  our 
adventurers,  that,  subject  to  them,  there  was  a  village  of 
bastard  Christians,  descended  from  people  shipwrecked 
on  the  coast,  of  whom  three  old  women  were  still  alive 
and  married  to  a  Hambonaa  chief.  This  intelligence 
roused  their  curiosity,  and  they  were  fortunate  enough  to 
obtain  an  interview  with  the  old  women  in  question, 
who  said  they  were  sisters,  but  having  been  shipwrecked 
when  children,  they  could  not  say  to  what  nation  they 
originally  belonged.  The  Dutch  adventurers  offered  to 
take  them  and  their  children  back  on  their  return,  at 
which  they  seemed  much  pleased.  It  appears  probable, 
that  the  reports  which  had  been  spread,  in  regard  to 
some  European  women  being  among  the  natives,  origi- 
nated from  this  circumstance,  and  as  the  existence  of 
any  other  white  people  in  this  quarter  was  neither  known 
nor  suspected,  it  was  naturally  concluded  that  they  must 
have  belonged  to  the  Grosvenor. 

The  Dutch  afterwards  fell  in  with  Trout,  whose  name 
has  been  mentioned  in  the  preceding  narrative.  He  at 
first  engaged  to  conduct  them  to  the  spot  where  the  Gros- 
venor was  wrecked,  and  informed  them  that  nothing 
was  then  to  be  seen,  excepting  some  cannon,  iron,  bal- 
last, and  lead :  adding,  that  all  the  unfortunate  crew  of 
that  ship  had  perished,  some  by  the  hands  of  the  natives 
and  the  rest  of  hunger. 

Trout,  who,  it  is  to  be  feared,  was  guilty  of  much  du- 
plicity from  the  first,  pretended  that  he  was  a  freeman, 
and  had  sailed  in  an  English  ship  from  Malacca ;  but 
finding  himself  likely  to  be  detected,  and  probably  appre- 
hensive of  being  carried  back  to  the  Cape,  he  cautiously 
avoided  the  Dutch  in  the  sequel,  and  left  them  to  find 


LOSS   OF   THE   GROSVENOR   INDUMAN.  37 

their  way  to  the  wreck  in  the  best  manner  they  were 
able. 

As  they  were  proceeding  to  the  spot,  one  of  the  party, 
named  Houltshausen,  unfortunately  fell  into  a  pit  of  burnt 
stakes,  by  which  he  was  terribly  wounded  in  the  palm 
of  one  of  his  hands,  which  eventually  produced  a  locked 
jaw,  and  terminated  in  his  death.  These  pits  are  dug 
by  the  natives,  and  being  covered  over  with  branches  of 
trees  and  grass,  serve  as  snares  for  the  elephants,  which 
frequently  fall  into  them,  and  are  thus  taken. 

Several  of  the  party,  however,  proceeded  on  horse- 
back to  the  wreck,  and  found  nothing  more  than  what 
Trout  had  described  remaining.  It  was  plainly  per- 
ceived that  fires  had  been  made  in  the  vicinity,  and  on 
a  rising  ground,  between  two  woods,  was  a  pit,  where 
things  had  been  buried  and  dug  out  again.  This  like- 
wise tallied  with  the  information  of  Trout,  who  told 
them  that  all  the  articles  collected  from  the  wreck  had 
•  been  dispersed  over  the  country,  and  that  most  of  them 
had  been  carried  to  Rio  de  la  Goa,  to  be  sold.  That 
place  was  represented  to  be  about  four  days'  journey 
from  the  scene  of  the  catastrophe. 

The  natives  in  the  neighborhood  expressed  great  as- 
tonishment that  the  Dutch  had  been  at  such  infinite 
pains  to  come  in  search  of  the  unfortunate  crew,  and 
they  all  promised,  that  in  case  of  any  similar  disaster 
they  would  protect  such  "people  as  might  be  thrown  upon 
the  coa.<t,  if  they  could  be  assured  of  obtaining  beads, 
copper,  and  iron,  for  their  trouble,  which  was  liberally 
promised  by  the  Dutch. 

These  intrepid  adventurers,  who  were  now  four  hun- 
dred and  thirty-seven  leagues  distant  from  the  Cape,  and 
two  hundred  twenty-six  beyond  any  Christian  habita- 
tion, finding  that  nothing  farther  was  to  be  discovered 
relative  to  the  wreck,  or  the  fate  of  the  persons  who  had 
reached  the  shore,  determined  to  return,  particularly  as 
Houltshausen's  illness  increased. 

On  their  way  back  they  called  at  the  bastard  Chris- 
tian village,  and  would  have  taken  under  their  protec- 
tion the  three  old  women,  who  seemed  desirous  of  living 
4 


38  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

among  Christians,  but  they  wished  first  to  gather  in  theii 
crops;  adding,  when  that  business  was  accomplished, 
their  whole  race,  to  the  number  of  four  hundred,  would 
be  happy  to  depart  from  their  present  settlement.  Every 
indulgence  was  promised  them  in  case  they  should  be 
disposed  to  emigrate  to  the  Cape.  On  seeing  people  of 
the  same  complexion  as  themselves  they  appeared  to  be 
exceedingly  agitated. 

On  their  homeward  journey  the  Dutch  shot  many  ele- 
phants and  sea-cows ;  but  on  the  first  of  December  they 
met  with  a  terrible  accident,  while  employed  in  cutting 
up  the  sea-cows  killed  the  preceding  day.  "  As  we  were 
thus  engaged,  (says  the  journalist,)  a  large  elephant 
made  up  to  the  wagons ;  we  instantly  pursued  and  at- 
tacked him,  when,  having  received  several  shot,  by 
which  he  twice  fell,  he  crept  into  a  very  thick  under- 
wood. Thinking  we  had  killed  him,  Tjaart  Vander 
Valdt,  Lodewyk  Prins,  and  Ignatus  Mulder,  advanced 
to  the  spot,  when  he  rushed  out  furiously  from  the 
thicket,  and  catching  hold  of  Prins  with  his  trunk,  trod 
him  to  death,  driving  one  of  his  tusks  through  the  body, 
and  throwing  it  up  into  the  air  to  the  height  of  thirty 
feet. 

"  The  others,  perceiving  that  there  was  no  possibility 
of  escaping  on  horseback,  dismounted,  and  crept  into  the 
thicket  to  hide  themselves.  The  elephant  seeing  nothing 
in  v,iew;  but  one  of  the  horses,  followed  him  for  some 
time,  and  then  turning  about  came  back  to  the.  spot 
where  the  dead  man  was  left.  At  this  instant  our  whole 
party  renewed  the  attack,  and  after  he  had  received 
several  more  wounds,  again  escaped  into  the  thickest  part 
of  the  wood. 

"  We  now  supposed  ourselves  safe,  but  while  we  were 
digging  a  grave  for  our  unfortunate  companion,  the  ele- 
phant rushed  out  again,  and  drove  us  all  from  the  place. 
Tjaart  Vander  Valdt  got  another  shot  at  him ;  a  joint  at- 
tack being  commenced,  he  began  to  stagger,  and  falling, 
the  Hottentots  despatched  him  as  he  lay  on  the  ground." 

The  rest  of  their  journey  afforded  little  worth  notice. 
In  January,  1791,  they  reached  their  respective  homes, 


LOSS   OF   THE   GROSVENOR    INDIAMAN.  39 

after  surmounting  incredible  difficulties,  in  an  expedi- 
tion to  which  they  were  prompted  solely  by  a  principle 
of  humanity,  and  the  desire  of  relieving,  if  any  remained 
alive,  such  of  our  countrymen  as  might  be  among  the 
natives.  No  intelligence  of  this  kind  could,  however, 
after  the  most  diligent  inquiries,  be  obtained.  They 
were,  indeed,  informed  that  the  ship's  cook  had  been 
alive  about  two  years  before  the  period  of  their  journey, 
but  that  he  then  caugh't  the  small-pox  and  died. 

We  cannot  conclude  this  mournful  narrative  better 
than  with  the  sensible  reflections  of  captain  Riou. 

"  Had  the  party  (says  he)  that  set  out  in  search  of 
these  shipwrecked  people,  in  1783,  prosecuted  their  jour- 
ney with  the  same  degree  of  zeal  and  resolution  that 
Van  Reeuen's  party  manifested,  it  is  possible  they  might 
have  discovered  and  relieved  some  who  have  since  pe- 
rished. Yet,  as  they  couJd  not  have  arrived  at  the 
place  of  the  wreck  in  less  than  six  months  after  the  dis- 
aster happened,  there  is  no  great  probability  for  suppos- 
ing, that  after  such  a  length  of  time  had  elapsed,  any 
great  number  of  the  unfortunate  sufferers  could  be  re- 
maining alive. 

"  But  what  we  have  most  to  regret  is,  that,  perhaps, 
the  failure  of  the  endeavors  of  the  unfortunate  crew  to 
save  their  lives  was  owing  to  their  own  misconduct.  It 
is  too  often  the  case,  that  disorder  and  confusion  are  the 
consequences  of  extreme  distress,  and  that  despair,  seiz- 
ing on  the  unprincipled  mind,  hurries  it  on  to  a  subver- 
sion of  all  good  order  and  discipline :  so  that  at  the  mo- 
ment when  the  joint  efforts  of  the  whole  are  most  neces- 
sary for  the  general  good,  each  desponding,  thoughtless 
member  acts  from  the  impulse  of  the  moment,  in  what- 
ever manner  his  tumultuous  feelings  may  direct ;  and 
from  an  erroneous  idea  of  self-interest,  or,  wonderful  as 
it  may  appear,  from  a  desire  of  gratifying  a  rebellious 
and  turbulent  spirit,  at  a  time  when  it  can  be  done  with 
impunity,  is  always  ready  to  overturn  every  plan  that 
may  be  proposed  by  his  superiors,  and  the  considerate 
few  that  happen  to  be  of  the  party. 

"  Such  must  have  been,  and  such  we  are  indeed  told 


40  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

was,  the  situation  of  the  crew  of  the  Grosvenor  subse- 
quent to  their  shipwreck. 

"  Though  it  may  be  said  to  be  very  easy  to  see  errors 
when  their  consequences  are  apparent,  it  will  not  surely 
be  too  much  to  assert,  that  when  this  ship's  crew  was 
once  safely  on  shore,  with  the  advantage  of  such  arti- 
cles as  they  could  procure  from  the  wreck,  their  situation, 
however  deplorable,  could  not  be  considered  as  hopeless. 
For  had  a  chosen  body  of  ten  or  twenty  men  marched  a 
few  days  to  the  northward,  they  must  have  fallen  in 
with  Rio  de  la  Goa,  where  it  seldom  happens  that  there 
is  not  a  French  or  Portuguese  slave  ship.  But  allowing 
captain  Coxson  was  much  out  of  his  reckoning,  and  that 
he  supposed  himself  much  nearer  to  the  Cape  than  he 
really  was,  they  might  then  have  existed  on  the  sea- 
coast,  in  that  climate,  sheltered  by  huts,  till  ready  to  set 
out,  and  by  preserving  order  and  discipline,  and  con- 
ducting themselves  properly  in  regard  to  the  natives, 
they  might  gradually  have  proceeded  in  safety  to  the 
territories  of  the  Dutch. 

"  Had  the  crew  continued  under  the  orders  of  their 
officers,  either  of  those  objects  might  have  been  accom- 
plished, by  men  whose  minds  were  not  wholly  resigned 
to  despair ;  or  they  might  have  subsisted  on  what  pro- 
vision they  could  pick  up  from  the  wreck,  together  with 
what  they  could  purchase  from  the  natives,  till  a  "boat 
could  have  been  constructed  and  sent  to  solicit  assistance 
from  the  Cape. 

"  These  reflections  have  been  extended  by  considering 
the  circumstances  in  which  the  shipwrecked  people  were 
placed ;  from  all  which  it  may  fairly  be  concluded,  that 
the  greater  part  might  have  effected  a  return  to  their  na- 
tive land,  had  they  been  guided  by  any  idea  of  the  ad- 
vantages of  discipline  and  subordination. 

"It  is  to  be  hoped,  then,  that  the  fatal  consequences 
attending  disorderly  conduct  on  these  calamitous  occa- 
sions, will  impress  on  the  minds  of  seamen  this  incon- 
trovertible truth,  that  their  only  hope  of  safety  must  de- 
pend upon  obedience." 


LOSS  OF  THE  EAST-INDIAMAN,  THE 
FATTYSALEM, 


THE  following  narrative  of  the  loss  of  the  Fattysalem 
is  given  in  a  letter  from  M.  de  Kearney,  a  captain  in 
Lally's  regiment,  who  was  taken  prisoner  by  the  Eng- 
lish, to  the  count  D'Estaing,  lieutenant-general,  com- 
manding the  French  troops  in  the  East  Indies,  during 
the  war  of  1756. 

Some  time  after  your  departure  from  India,  (says  M. 
de  Kearney,)  I  was  taken  prisoner  by  the  English,  at  the 
battle  of  Vandevachy,  a  small  fort  between  Madras  and 
Pondicherry.  My  conquerors  treated  me  with  the  great- 
est generosity,  and  even  did  all  in  their  power  to  save 
my  effects.  But  I  lost  every  thing  I  had  taken  with 
me  for  the  campaign ;  the  sepoys  plundered  me  without 
mercy.  You  are  acquainted  with  that  undisciplined  mi- 
litia :  they  do  not  comprehend  that  it  is  possible  to  treat 
as  friends ;  that  is,  to  spare  as  much  as  possible  those 
who  have  been,  and  may  again  be,  their  enemies. 

I  slept  one  night  in  the  English  camp,  and  colonel 
Galliot  paid  me  the  greatest  attention.  The  next  day  I 
obtained  permission  to  go  on  my  parole  to  Pondicherry, 
where  I  remained  several  months,  and  made  every  possi- 
ble exertion  to  procure  my  exchange.  When  the  place 
was  invested  by  the  English,  I  was  summoned,  together 
with  the  other  prisoners  of  war,  to  repair  to  Madras.  I 
accordingly  went  to  that  place,  where  I  found  almost 
two  thirds  of  the  officers  of  the  king's  army,  taken  on 
different  occasions.  I  was,  therefore,  at  Madras  when, 
the  English,  having  made  themselves  masters  of  Pondi- 
cherry, resolved  to  send  all  the  French  officers  to  Eng- 
land. I  was,  in  consequence,  directed  to  hold  myself  ii? 
4* 


42  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 

readiness  for  embarking ;  lord  Pigott,  the  governor  of 
Madras,  kindly  permitted  me  to  choose  the  way  by  which 
I  wished  to  be  conveyed  to  England.  I  chose  that  of 
Bengal,  on  account  of  the  good  accommodations  which 
lord  Pigott  had  provided  me  on  board  the  Hawk, 
and  I  shall  never  forget  the  favors  and  civilities  he 
conferred  upon  me.  By  this  arrangement  I  hoped  to 
alleviate  the  hardships  and  fatigues  of  my  passage  to 
Europe.  The  apprehensions  arising  from  the  prospect 
of  such  a  long  voyage,  with  upwards  of  fifty  prisoners 
of  war,  of  all  descriptions,  confined  within  a  narrow 
compass,  and  suffering  many  inconveniences  ;  but,  above 
all,  the  necessity  to  which,  as  I  was  informed,  we  should 
be  reduced,  of  living  seven  or  eight  months  on  salt  pro- 
visions, though  the  company  had  given  orders  to  the 
contrary,  induced  me  to  take  this  step,  as  the  safest  un- 
der such  circumstances.  It  was,  however,  the  cause  of 
all  my  subsequent  misfortunes. 

The  Hawk,  in  which  I  was  to  be  conveyed  to  Europe, 
proceeded  without  me  from  Madras  to  Bengal,  because 
I  had  not  yet  settled  all  my  affairs.  I  was,  therefore,  or- 
dered to  prepare  to  join  her  by  the  first  opportunity  that 
should  offer,  and  which  could  not  be  far  distant  in  a  sea- 
son when  vessels  were  sailing  every  week  for  the  gulf. 

The  first  ship  that  happened  to  depar^was  the  Fatty- 
salem,  which  had  been  built  at  Bombay,  -and  had  never 
been  employed  but  in  the  India  seas.  She  was  intended 
to 'carry  great  part  of  the  stores  taken  by  the  English, 
and  near  five  hundred  troops,  which  had  been  thought 
fit  to  send  to  Bengal,  because,  after  the  reduction  of  Pon- 
dicherry,  they  were  not  wanted  on  that  coast. 

In  this  unfortunate  vessel  I  embarked  on  the  26th  of 
August,  1761,  and  the  same  day  set  sail.  On  the  28ih} 
between  ten  and  eleven  in  the  morning,  the  captain  of 
the  ship,  in  confidence,  told  major  Gordon,  the  principal 
officer  of  the  troops,  that  there  were  seven  feet  water  in 
the  hold,  that,  notwithstanding  the  exertions  of  the  men, 
the  water  continued  to  gain  upon  them,  and  that  the 
ship  could  not  live  above  two  hours  longer. 

When  the  people  had  been  nearly  two  hours  employed 


LOSS   OP    THE   FATTYSALEM.  43 

lightening  the  vessel,  by  throwing  every  thing  overheard, 
I  kept  a  watchful  eye  upon  the  captain.     I  saw  him 
speaking  to  the  major,  with  an  air  of  consternation,  de- 
noting the   greatest  misfortune.     I   advanced   towards 
them  and  asked  in  a  whisper,  in  English,  what  was  the 
matter.     Major  Gordon  with  a  tremulous  voice  repeated 
what  he  had  just  heard  of  the  captain.     Struck  with  the 
dreadful  intelligence,  but  not  deprived  of  the  power  of 
acting,  I  instantly  formed  my  resolution.     Cutting  short 
all  useless  words,  I  only  asked  the  captain  if  we  might 
not  save   ourselves   by  taking  possession   of  the  boat 
which  was  laden  with  pigs,  and  in  tow  astern  of  the  ves- 
sel.    He  replied,  with  the  most  dejected  and  discouraging 
look,  that  this  expedient  would  only  cause  us  to  survive 
a  few  hours  those  we  should  leave  on  board ;  and  he 
'did  not  think  this  measure  practicable  among  so  many 
soldiers  and  sailors.     This  answer  convinced  me  that 
the  pusillanimous  captain  had  no  resource.     I  told  him 
we  would  undertake  the  execution  of  the  design,  and 
that  for  his  part  he  had  only  to  observe  two  points,  not 
to  mention  it  to  others,  and  to  follow  when  he  should 
see  us  in  the  fatal  boat.     He  immediately  left  us.     The 
major  and  I  being  left  together,  concerted  our  escape 
from  the  vessel,  which  we  executed  in  less  than  two 
minutes.     He  descended  from   the  deck  by  a  private 
ladder  into  the  great  cabin,  to  inform  the  officers  of  his 
regiment,  who  might  chance  to  be  there,  of  our  design, 
for  the  moments  were  too  precious  to  go  elsewhere  to 
seek  them.     For  my  part,  I  called  my  servant,  a  trusty 
fellow,  on  whom  I  could  depend.     He  had  been  a  sol- 
dier in  my  company,  and  had  likewise  been  taken  pri- 
soner ;  but  I  had  obtained  his  liberty  of  lord  Pigott.     I 
told  him  in  few  words  our  intention.     I  immediately 
shut  the  door,  that  the  people  might  not  see  us  from  the 
forecastle.     As  the  ship,  though  very  large,  had  no  gal- 
lery, I  directed  my  servant  to  go  out  at  one  of  the  win- 
dows of  the  cabin,  and  by  means  of  a  rope  he  let  himself 
down  into  the  boat.     I  had  previously  furnished  him 
with  my  sword  and  a  hatchet,  ordering  him  to  despatch 
without  mercy  all  that  attempted  to  get  into  the  boat, 


44  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS, 

excepting  they  came  from-  the  spot  where  I  was  stationed 
to  conduct  our  descent.  Every  thing  was  executed  in 
the  best  manner ;  this  intelligent  servant  kept  the  boat 
for  us  till  all  those  whom  it  was  intended  to  receive  had 
descended,  and  our  little  embarkation  was  effected  with 
such  success  and  expedition  that  he  was  not  under  the 
necessity  of  making  use  of  his  weapons.  As  soon  as  the 
captain,  who  through  his  irresolution  had  nearly  lost  the 
boat,  had  entered  with  the  rest,  the  first  thing  we  did 
was  to  cut  the  rope  by  which  she  was  fastened  to  the 
vessel,  and  to  push  off,  so  that  in  a  short  time  we  had 
got  a  considerable  distance. 

We  were  now  in  an  open  boat,  abandoned  to  the  im- 
pulse of  the  wind  and  waves,  to  the  number  of  twenty- 
five  persons,  among  whom  were  two  young  ladies,  the 
wives  of  English  officers,  in  Coote's  regiment,  all  badly 
accommodated,  ill-clothed,  and  mixed  promiscuously 
with  the  hogs.  Our  first  purpose  was  to  make  room, 
for  which  purpose  we  began  to  throtv  the  pigs  overboard ; 
but  a  lucky  reflection  of  one  of  the  company  caused  us 
to  keep  seven,  in  order  that,  at  all  events,  we  might  not 
be  reduced  to  the  horrible  necessity  of  devouring  each 
other,  which  must  have  been  the  case  without  this 
wretched  resource.  Having  thus  cleared  the  boat  a 
little,  we  were  obliged  to  attend  to  another  point  equally 
pressing.  Each  of  us  took  off  his  coat  or  waistcoat,  to 
make  a  sail  to  our  bark,  and  even  the  ladies  were  each 
obliged  to  give  one  of  the  petticoats  they  had  on,  which 
were  only  of  muslin.  All  these  things,  being  joined  and 
tied  together,  with  our  handkerchiefs  torn  into  slips, 
formed  a  kind  of  sail,  equally  weak  and  awkward. 

While  we  were  thus  employed,  the  unfortunate  crew 
kept  making  signals  that  every  thing  was  repaired,  with 
a  view  to  induce  us  to  return.  This  artifice  was  em- 
ployed by  our  \vretched  companions,  in  the  hope  of  sav- 
ing themselves  in  our  boat.  If  we  had  been  so  weak  as 
to  listen  to  our  captain,  who  fell  into  such  an  evident 
snare,  we  should  have  gone  back,  and  all  have  perished 
together.  We,  however,  took  care  not  to  go  near  them, 
and  it  was  fortunate  for  us  that  we  did ;  for  a  few  minutes 


LOSS    OF    THE   FATTYSALEM.  45 

afterwards  the  ship  presented  the  most  distressing  spec- 
tacle. She  was  no  longer  under  government ;  sometimes 
she  drifted  away,  and  at  other's  she  turned  round  like  a 
whirlwind.  Soon  afterwards  one  of  the  masts  went  by 
the  board ;  another  followed,  and  the  third  went  next 
The  ship  was  now  a  sheer-hulk,  still  floating  at  the  will 
of  the  waves ;  but  which  appeared  to  be  kept  afloat  only 
by  the  incessant  exertions  of  the  poor  wretches,  whose 
piercing  cries  filled  us  with  horror.  A  fog  came  on  ;  we 
could  no  longer  distinguish  the  vessel,  and  she  must  in  a 
short  time  have  gone  to  the  bottom. 

It  is  always  by  comparison  that  we  are  fortunate  or 
miserable.  What  great  reason  had  we  to  thank  Heaven 
for  having  preserved  us  from  the  fate  to  which  between 
five  and  six  hundred  persons  left  on  board  were  doomed. 
But  what  was  the  price  of  our  escape  ?  For  what  mise- 
ries reserved  ?  And,  how  melancholy  our  situation ! 
In  the  open  sea,  in  a  crazy  boat,  which  a  single  wave 
would  have  sent  to  the  bottom,  in  the  hand  of  Provi- 
dence, without  compass,  or  any  other  rigging  than  our 
little  sail,  which  required  all  our  attention. 

We  had  not  a  drop  of  water,  nor  provisions  of  any 
kind.  Constantly  wet  with  the  waves  which  entered 
our  boat,  and  continually  employed  in  baling  the  water, 
with  which  Ave  were  incessantly  inundated;  and,  not- 
withstanding this  fatiguing  labor,  were  shivering  with 
cold,  because  we  had  very  few  clothes  to  cover  our- 
selves, and  those  few  were  thoroughly  soaked.  In  this 
state  we  floated  at  the  mercy  of  the  waves  seven  days 
and  seven  nights. 

Our  only  nourishment  was  a  spoonful  and  a  half  of 
pig's  blood,  distributed  to  each  every  twenty- four  hours ; 
for,  in  order  to  allow  two  spoonfuls,  it  was  necessary  to 
mix  with  it  a  little  salt  water ;  and  never  was  any  thing 
more  exactly  measured  than  this  scanty  pittance.  Many 
of  us,  whose  appetites  and  stomachs  were  equally  good, 
eat  the  flesh  of  the  pigs  quite  raw,  and  we  killed  one 
each  day,  so  that  on  the  seventh  we  had  nothing  left. 
My  principal  regale  was  the  liver,  or  coagulated  blood, 
which  I  only  sucked,  and  then  spit  it  out.  My  servant, 
our  butcher,  always  reserved  that  part  for  me. 


46  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

Soon  after  twelve  o'clock  of  the  seventh  night,  we 
thought  we  heard  a  noise,  that  at  first  appeared  very 
strange,  but  which  we  afterwards  judged  to  proceed  from 
the  dashing  of  breakers  against  the  rocks,  or  against 
some  shore.  We  floated  between  fear  and  joy,  and  in- 
patiently  waited  for  daylight.  That  light,  so  slow  in 
its  approach,  at  length  arrived,  and  every  thing  disap- 
peared. Judge  of  the  revolution  produced  in  our  minds 
and  bodies  by  this  vain  hope  destroyed,  as  soon  as  con- 
ceived. It  plunged  us  into  such  profound  consternation, 
that  we  should  not  have  been  able  to  bear  up  against  it, 
had  not  the  hand  of  the  Almighty  speedily  afforded 
relief. 

About  seven  the  same  morning,  one  of  the  company 
cried  out,  "  Land,  or  something  like  it."  We  now  dis- 
tinguished in  the  horizon  a  speck  which  our  ardent  de- 
sire to  meet  with  land  actually  caused  us  to  take  for 
such.  Nature  was  once  more  animated  by  a  ray  of 
hope.  We  directed  our  course  towards  the  point  which 
appeared  in  the  horizon,  and  at  nine  began  to  distinguish 
hills,  but  saw  no  land  till  we  were  on  the  beach,  because 
the  shore  is  so  extremely  low.  It  is  impossible  to  de- 
scribe the  effect  this  cheering  sight  produced  upon  us.  I 
will,  however,  endeavor  to  give  you  some  idea  of  it. 
We  all  immediately  experienced  a  certain  impression  of 
joy,  vigor  of  life,  with  which  our  souls  were  penetrated, 
-  as  a  person  is  penetrated  by  the  heat,  when,  after  endur- 
ing excessive  cold,  he  comes  to  a  good  fire,  whose  genial 
influence  reanimates  his  benumbed  powers.  We  felt  a 
delicious  sensation  of  our  feeble  existence,  and  this  sensa- 
tion, diffused  through  all  our  faculties,  seemed  to  restore 
us  to  new  life.  It  is  only  those  who  have  been  in  the 
same  situation  that  can  know  the  inexpressible  enjoy- 
ment of  a  moment  of  which  assuredly  no  other  situation 
in  life  can  afford  an  idea. 

The  question  now  was  how  to  disembark.  Here  we 
were  under  some  embarrassment ;  for  the  surf  was  very 
strong,  and  the  desert  appearance  of  the  coast,  on  which 
we  discovered  neither  house,  nor  inhabitants,  nor  chelin- 
guis,  (small  boats  which  are  used  in  the  East  Indies  for 


LOSS   OF    THE   FATTYSALEM.  47 

embarking  and  going  on  shore,)  was  a  more  convincing 
proof  than  the  assertion  of  the  pusillanimous  captain,  that 
no  European  boat  had  ever  landed  there.  A  consulta- 
tion was  held,  in  which  it  was  resolved  to  make  the  at- 
tempt to  let  those  save  themselves  who  could.  This 
opinion,  supported  by  those  who  could  swim,  and  par- 
ticularly by  the  captain,  who  even  declared  that  he  was 
surd  of  getting  on  shore  safe,  was  too  contrary  to  hu- 
manity to  be  adopted  by  good  sense.  It  was  the  same 
as  condemning  those  who  unfortunately  were  not  famil- 
iar with  the  water,  and  in  particular  the  two  females 
and  myself,  who  knew  no  more  how  to  swim  than  they, 
to  almost  inevitable  death,  at  least,  excepting  the  Al- 
mighty should  work  a  new  miracle  in  our  behalf.  I 
reprobated  the  measure,  and  told  the  captain  in  a  firm 
tone  that  it  should  not  be  executed  as  long  as  I  had 
breath ;  that  since  part  of  the  company  were  in  the  same 
predicament  with  myself,  and  my  servant,  whose  life 
was  as  dear  to  me  as  my  own,  it  was  their  duty  to  steer 
the  boat  in  such  a  manner,  that  we  might  all  get  to  land 
in  safety.  I  added,  holding  my  sword  drawn  before 
him,  that  he  should  answer  with  his  life  for  that  of  eve- 
ry individual. 

At  these  words  an  English  officer,  of  the  name  of 
Scott,  a  hotheaded  man,  and  almost  inclined  to  the  most 
violent  measures,  exclaimed,  "What!  does  a  single 
Frenchman,  and  prisoner  of  war,  here  pretend  to  give 
law  to  us,  and  dare  to  call  us  barbarians?"  "Sir,"  said 
I,  calmly,  "  our  common  misfortune  renders  us  all  equal ; 
I  am  free  here  as  well  as  you,  and  repeat  it  at  the  risk 
of  all  the  satisfaction  that  may  be  demanded  of  me  when 
on  shore,  the  captain  shall  answer  with  his  life  for  the 
lives  of  all  our  companions." 

The  captain  being  intimidated,  ordered  two  lascars, 
good  swimmers,  that  had  escaped  with  us.  to  place  them- 
selves beside  me,  and  not  to  quit  me  till  I  was  on  shore. 
He  then  went  to  the  helm,  and  managed  so  skilfully,  or 
rather  with  such  good  fortune,  that  we  ran  aground 
without  any  accident.  In  consequence,  however,  of  a 
very  natural  impatience,  twelve  of  our  companions,  tho 


48  REMARKABLE  SHIPWRECKS. 

moment  the  boat  struck,  leaped  into  the  water,  and  even 
some  of  those  who  could  swim  nearly  perished.  They 
were  besides  separated  from  us,  the  boat  being  thrown 
by  two  waves  into  a  river,  which  we  did  not  perceive 
till  we  had  entered  it.  This  river  was  so  rapid  that  our 
boat  was  soon  driven  aground,  and  we  thus  had  an  op- 
portunity of  getting  on  shore. 

I  wish  I  could  describe  this  moment ;  but  how  shall  1 
trace  it,  with  all  its  circumstances,  with  the  simplicity, 
the  energy,  the  truth  of  nature  1  We  scarcely  felt  the 
ground,  when  each,  occupied  only  with  himself  and  the 
single  sentiment  of  his  own  preservation,  no  longer 
thought  of  his  companions.  Our  eyes  sought  only  fresh 
water,  and  something  to  prolong  our  existence.  We  per- 
ceived a  small  lake,  and  we  instantly  ran  to  its  banks, 
plunging  overhead  in  the  water  like  ducks,  to  allay  a 
dreadful  thirst,  a  thirst  of  seven  whole  days,  to  which 
the  heat  of  a  burning  fever  bears  no  comparison.  It 
would  be  necessary  to  have  endured,  for  the  same  length 
of  time,  the  devouring  fire  of  thirst,  of  all  human  wants 
the  most  insupportable,  and  the  most  pressing,  to  form 
any  conception  of  ours,  and  our  eagerness  to  appease  it. 
In  such  a  situation,  the  sufferer  would  give  for  a  glass 
of  water  all  the  gold  and  all  the  diamonds  of  India ;  he 
would  give  the  world.  From  this  you  may  judge  of  our 
protracted  sufferings,  our  transports  on  the  banks  of  the 
lake,  and  the  delight  we  experienced.  Having  drank 
our  fill,  we  began  some  to  eat  the  grass,  arid  others  the 
shell-fish,  which  fortunately  happened  to  be  on  the  spot 
where  we  landed,  and  during  forty-eight  hours  we  had 
no  other  nourishment. 

We  now  began  to  be  distressed  at  our  separation  into 
two  parties.  We  endeavored  to  join  each  other  again, 
but  being  prevented  by  the  depth  of  the  torrent  that 
separated  us,  each  company  began  to  march  towards  the 
interior  of  the  country,  in  quest  of  some  habitation.  The 
country  belonged  to  the  dominions  of  the  Rajah  of  Arsa- 
pour,  situated  near  the  mouth  of  the  Ganges.  We  had 
not  advanced  far,  when  a  snare  was  laid  for  us  by  the 
natives,  that  they  might  the  more  easily  get  us  into  their 


LOSS   OF    T&E   FATTYSALEM.  49 

power.  Two  fishermen,  by  whom  we  had  been  dis- 
covered, were  directed  to  tell  us  to  remain  where  we 
were. '  They  assured  us  that  the  sovereign  of  the  place 
was  informed  of  our  arrival  in  his  dominions,  that  he 
was  acquainted  with  our  disaster,  and  our,  unfortunate 
situation,  and  that,  being  a  prince  of  a  benevolent  dispo- 
sition, he  would  very  soon  send  us  relief  of  every  kind. 
A  few  hours  afterwards  a  quantity  of  rice  and  hog's  lard 
was  actually  brought  us,  with  the  Ilajah's  compliments, 
and  a  promise  that  the  following  day  we  should  be  shel- 
tered from  the  inclemency  of  the  air,  and  particularly 
the  night  dews,  which  was  very  dangerous  in  that  cli- 
mate. This  promise  they  punctually  performed,  for  the 
next  day  people  came  to  fetch  us,  but  it  was  for  the  pur- 
pose of  conducting  us  to  a  small  island,  to  be  kept  as 
prisoners.  Each  of  the  two  divisions  was  conducted  by 
a  different  route,  and'we  knew  not  what  had  become  of 
the  other.  There  we  remained  seven  weeks,  having  no 
other  nourishment  than  black  rice,  on  paying  for  it,  and 
twice  a  week  detestable  salt  fish :  and  to  procure  even 
this  we  were  obliged  to  sell  every  thing  we  had  about  us. 
We,  however,  found  means  to  tame  two  blacks,  to  whose 
care  we  were  consigned,  and  to  procure  of  them  some 
indulgences.  One  of  our  ladies,  Mrs.  Tait,  a  native  of 
Ireland,  who  had  a  good  voice,  sung  them  some  English 
songs,  to  which  they  listened  with  great  pleasure,  though 
they  understood  not  a  word  of  them.  This  complai- 
sance obtained  us  from  time  to  time  some  fruits  and 
other  refreshments.  The  water  we  had  to  drink  was  so 
unwholesome,  that  out  of  the  two  companies  thirteen 
died,  and  the  twelve  survivors  were  all  attacked  with 
fevers  or  dropsies,  and  were  either  livid  or  yellow,  and 
so  disfigured,  that  no  one  would  have  taken  us  for  Eu- 
ropeans. 

But  as  no  distress  is  so  great  as  to  deprive  men  of  all 
hope  or  the  power  of  relieving  themselves  from  it,  so 
our  attention  was  incessantly  directed  towards  the  means 
of  escaping  from  our  island.  The  two  lascars  who  were 
in  our  company  appeared  likely  to  aid  us  in  the  design. 
With  a  pencil,  which  one  of  the  ladies  chanced  to  have 


50  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

preserved,  we  wrote  a  note  to  Barasole,  where  the  Eng- 
lish have  a  small  factory.  This  we  prevailed  upon  the 
lascars  to  take,  promising  them  a  considerable  sum  of 
money,  if  we  should  be  released  from  captivity,  and  on 
our  arrival  at  the  first  European  settlement.  The  las- 
cars complied  with  our  desire,  and  notwithstanding  the 
difficulties  of  the  journey,  they  set  off.  They  were 
obliged  to  swim  across  three  or  four  very  large  rivers, 
and  always  to  travel  in  the  night,  to  prevent  being  dis- 
covered by  the  natives.  Having  escaped  many  dangers 
by  their  dexterity,  or  surmounted  them  by  their  boldness 
and  perseverance,  they  at  length  arrived  at  Cattack,  the 
residence  of  a  Rajah,  or  chief  of  the  Mahrattas.  On 
their  arrival  at  that  place  they  were  carried  before  the 
Rajah,  and  being  interrogated  respecting  their  business 
there,  they  gave  an  account  of  our  shipwreck,  the  man- 
ner in  which  we  had  escaped,  the  distresses  we  had 
since  experienced,  and  our  confinement  by  the  Rajah  of 
Arsapour.  They  did  not  forget  to  add  that  we  had  with 
us  two  young  white  women,  and  that  the  men  were 
people  of  consequence.  The  Mahratta  chief  then  in- 
quired if  the  men  were  proper  for  soldiers ;  likewise  asked 
whether  the  women  were  very  fair,  and  handsome  enough 
for  his  seraglio.  The  lascars  having  satisfied  him  rela- 
tive to  these  particulars,  the  Rajah  immediately  sent  for 
*he  son  of  the  Rajah  of  Arsapour,  who  was  then  his  hos- 
tage, and  ordered  him  to  write  to  his  father,  to  send  off 
to  Cattack,  immediately  on  the  receipt  of  his  letter,  the 
Europeans,  both  men  and  women,  whom  he  had,  for  two 
months,  kept  prisoners  in  an  island.  Conformably  to  the 
policy  of  all  the  petty  sovereigns  of  India,  he  likewise 
took  care  to  order  that  we  might  be  sent  by  the  worst 
and  least  frequented  roads,  to  conceal  us  as  much  as 
possible  from  the  sight  of  the  natives.  The  order  for 
departure  having  been  given  separately  to  the  two  par- 
ties, we  set  off  with  our  guides,  and  had  proceeded  some 
hours  when  we  met.  We  had  been  parted  two  months, 
and  during  this  interval  had  received  no  tidings  of  each 
other  ;  you  may  therefore  conceive  how  great  was  our  joy 
on  seeing  one  another  again.  We  mutually  learned  the 


LOSS   OF  THE   FATTYSALEM.  51 

„ 

death  of  those  of  our  companions  which  each  party  had 
lost ;  and  skeletons,  walking  spectres,  that  could  scarcely 
walk,  congratulated  each  other  on  being  s'till  alive. 

The  distance  to  Cattack  was  fourteen  days'  journey ; 
this  we  travelled  on  foot,  and  almost  without  shoes. 
Our  journeys  were  very  short,  because  we  were  all  ill, 
and  exhausted  with  fatigue;  besides,  our  way  led  al- 
most continually  through  marshes,  up  to  our  waists  hi 
mud.  We  had  several  large  rivers  to  cross,  in  the  pas- 
sage of  which  those  who  could  swim  assisted  the  others. 
The  two  young  English  women,  who  certainly  were  not 
formed  for  such  hardships,  were  in  a  most  deplorable 
condition,  and  the  sufferings  of  these  poor  creatures 
seemed  to  aggravate  our  own  distresses.  One  of  them, 
Mrs.  Nelson,  died  four  days  before  we  reached  Cattack, 
but  the  other,  though  three  months  advanced  in  her 
pregnancy,  was  so  fortunate  as  to  arrive  at  that  place  in 
safety. 

Although  exhausted  with  fatigue  at  the  end  of  each 
day's  journey,  we  were  obliged  to  pass  the  night  under 
trees,  because  the  people  of  the  country  would  not  per- 
mit us  to  set  foot  in  their  houses,  the  exercise  of  hospi- 
tality towards  Europeans  being  prohibited  by  their  reli- 
gion. We,  at  length,  arrived  at  Cattack,  but  some  seve- 
ral days  before  the  others.  There  we  learned  that  the 
English  had  a  factory  in  the  place,  and  repaired  thitker 
immediately;  but  we  found  only  some  sepoys  in  the 
Company's  pay,  and  not  a  single  European.  The  se- 
poys received  us  with  great  kindness,  and,  moved  by  our 
situation,  they  first  went  to  the  bazar,  or  market,  to  pro- 
cure us  some  bread.  This  we  greedily  devoured,  drink- 
ing water,  which  they  gave  us,  and  thus  made  a  deli- 
cious repast.  We  congratulated  one  another  on  finding 
ourselves  under  a  roof,  and  sheltered  from  the  inclemen- 
cy of  the  air ;  we  then  hvy  down  and  slept.  We  ex- 
pected the  next  day  that  the  Mahratta  chief  would  send 
some  orders  relative  to  us",  but  he  was  then  on  a  tour 
in  the  country.  His  minister  took  no  notice  of  us,  and 
allowed  us  nothing  to  subsist  upon.  The  sepoys,  there- 
fore, continued  to  maintain  us  in  the  best  manner  ihey 
were  able. 


52  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 

During  our  journey  from  the  island  in  which  we  had 
been  confined  to  Cattack,  the  two  lascars  who  had  ef- 
fected our  release,  and  had  concealed  from  the  Mahratta 
chief  the  commission  with  which  they  were  intrusted  by 
us,  proceeded  on  their  route,  and  arrived  at  Barrasole, 
where  they  acquainted  the  English  'with  our  situation. 
They  then  went  to  Calcutta,  and  called  upon  Mr.  Van 
Sittart,  the  English  governor  of  Bengal.  The  governor 
lost  no  time  in  sending  us  relief;  but,  on  account  of  the 
distance,  we  did  not  receive  it  till  twenty  or  twenty-five 
days  after  our  arrival  at  Cattack.  He  used  all  his  influ- 
ence with  the  Mahrattas  to  obtain  our  liberty,  but  as 
they  were  not,  at  that  time,  on  very  good  terms  with  the 
Company,  they  refused  to  grant  this  favor  to  merchants. 
It  was,  therefore,  necessary  that  colonel  Coote,  the  con- 
queror of  India,  should  demand  our  release,  which  he 
obtained  without  difficulty. 

Our  company  was  soon  anxious  to  repair  to  Barrasole, 
at  the  distance  of  six  days'  journey.  As  for  me  and  my 
faithful  servant  we  did  not  wait  for  the  general  order  to 
depart,  but  set  off  before  the  rest.  I  had  found  at  Cat- 
tack an  European,  a  native  of  Russia,  who  had  been  a 
gunner  in  M.  De  Bussy's  army,  and  was  now  an  artillery 
officer  in  the  service  of  the  Mahrattas.  As  he  under- 
stood and  could  speak  the  French  language,  I  endeavor- 
ed, without  informing  him  who  I  was,  to  learn  his  senti- 
ments relative  to  M.  De  Bussy.  He  assured  me  that  it 
was  he  who  had  given  the  Asiatics  the  highest  idea  of 
the  Europeans,  that  he  should  regret  him  all  his  life,  and 
should  never  cease  to  adore  him;  these  were  his  ex- 
pressions. On  this  I  told  him  I  was  a  Frenchman,  and 
prisoner  of  war  to  the  English ;  that  I  had  with  me  a 
servant,  to  whom  I  was  strongly  attached,  and  that  I  was 
desirous  of  leaving  Cattack  as  speedily  as  possible.  He 
replied  that  he  would  procure  me  permission  to  leave 
the  place,  provided  the  others  should  know  nothing  of 
the  matter  till  the  moment  of  our  departure.  I  kept  the 
secret,  and  he  actually  obtained  a  kind  of  permission  for 
me  and  my  servant.  I  immediately  hired  two  dooleys, 
a  kind  of  handbarrow  carried  by  men.  To  pay  for 


LOSS   OF   THE   FATTYSALEM.  53 

these  and  to  support  us  on  our  journey,  I  sold  my  stock 
buckle  and  sleeve  buttons,  the  only  things  I  had  left.  I 
then  took  leave  of  my  companions,  frankly  informing 
them  how  and  by  what  means  I  had  obtained  permission 
to  depart,  that  they  might  employ  the  same  method. 

Our  journey  to  Barrasole  had  nearly  proved  fatal  to 
us  ;  being  twice  attacked  by  tigers,  and  had  the  pain  to 
see  a  Moor,  that  had  been  very  serviceable  to  us  several 
times  in  our  distress,  carried  off,  at  the  distance  of  a  few 
paces  from  us,  by  one  of  these  cruel  animals.  The  same 
tiger,  after  despatching  the  unfortunate  man,  came  again 
out  of  the  wood,  and  gazed  on  us  with  a  most  terrible 
look,  but  keeping  close  together,  our  firmness,  and  the 
noise  we  made,  obliged  him  to  retire. 

On  my  arrival  at  Barrasole,  I  met  with  some  English- 
men going  to  embark  for  Bengal.  They  proposed  to  me 
to  accompany  them.  I  had  scarcely  time  to  drink  a 
glass,  and  went  on  board. 

We  were  six  or  seven  days  in  reaching  Calcutta,  it 
being  so  very  difficult  to  ascend  the  Ganges,  and  were 
again  near  perishing  in  this  short  passage,  where  you 
meet  with  rocks  upon  rocks,  and  dangers  upon  dangers. 
When  we  had  arrived  at  Goupil,  I  saw  several  of  the 
East  India  Company's  ships,  and  begged  the  English  to 
let  me  go  on  board  one  of  them.  They  perceived  that 
both  myself  and  my  servant  were  sick,  exhausted,  and 
in  want  of  every  thing ;  therefore,  at  the  expense  of  two 
rupees,  all  the  money  I  had  left,  I  procured  a  boat  to 
carry  me  on  board  the  Plassy,  commanded  by  captain 
Ward.  When  I  had  got  on  board  this  ship,  I  imagined 
my  hardships  at  an  end,  and  every  thing  was  almost 
forgotten.  The  first  person  I  spoke  to  was  Mr.  White, 
a  captain  of  the  Company's  troops.  He  took  my  ser- 
vant and  me  for  two  soldiers  who  had  been  robbed ;  our 
figure  arid  dress,  equally  worthy  of  pity,  announced  the 
most  miserable  condition.  This  generous  Englishman, 
addressing  himself  to  me,  said,  in  his  own  language, — 
"  Poor  soldier  !  you  are  badly  equipped.  Who  "are  you, 
and  whence  do  you  come  ?"  I  replied  in  English,  "  You 
are  right,  I  am  a  soldier,  and  my  servant  there  is  one 
5* 


54  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

likewise ;  we  think  ourselves  very  fortunate  in  being  still 
in  existence."  I  added,  that  I  was  one  out  of  twelve 
who  had  escaped  from  the  ship  Fattysalera,  which  had 
been  lost,  together  with  the  crew,  on  the  coast  of  Coro- 
mandel;  that  I  was  indebted  for  my  life,  in  the  first 
place,  to  my  soldier's  courage,  and  in  the  next  to  the 
exertions  of  my  servant,  whom  he  saw  overwhelmed 
with  disease,  and  unable  to  stand ;  and  concluded  with 
telling  him  my  name  and  rank.  Mr.  White  immediately 
went  to  his  cabin,  and  brought  me  a  change  of  clothes 
from  head  to  foot,  of  which  I  certainly  stood  in  great 
need,  for  I  had  for  ten  weeks  worn  the  same  shirt,  all  in 
tatters ;  my  servant  only  dipped  it  from  time  to  time  in 
water,  to  ease  me  a  little.  The  poor  fellow,  who  was 
quite  naked,  was  likewise  supplied  with  clothes.  Mr. 
White  then  presented  me  with  some  chocolate  and  some- 
thing to  eat ;  but  I  was  so  weak  that  the  smell  only  of 
the  chocolate  had  nearly  made  me  faint,  and  I  could  not 
eat  any  thing.  I  drank  some  tea,  and  that  was  all  I 
could  get  down.  I  received  a  thousand  other  civilities 
from  this  worthy  man,  and  the  captain  showed  me  equal 
kindness.  When  I  had  changed  my  things  and  taken 
my  tea,  those  gentlemen  proposed  to  me  to  go  up  the 
Ganges  to  Calcutta  with  them,  in  a  vessel  that  was  just 
going  to  set  off.  I  consented,  but  not  without  great  re- 
gret, at  being  obliged  to  leave  behind  me  in  the  vessel 
my  faithful  companion,  who  was  attacked  with  a  violent 
fever.  However,  as  there  was  no  other  alternative,  and 
as  the  kindness  of  those  gentlemen,  both  to  him  and  to 
me,  rendered  me  easy  with  regard  to  his  fate,  I  left  him, 
but  not  without  great  reluctance.  He  died  soon  after- 
wards in  the  English  hospital  at  Calcutta. 

We  arrived  at  that  place  the  next  day.  I  went  to  the 
governor,  Mr.  Van  Sittart,  who  received  me  with  great 
humanity,  and  assigned  me,  as  a  prisoner  of  war,  one 
hundred  and  twenty  rupees  per  month  for  my  subsist- 
ence. I  was  in  great  want,  and  he  did  not  make  me  any 
advance.  I  had  recourse  to  my  benefactor,  Mr.  White, 
who  lent  me  three  hundred  rupees,  which  I  expended  in 
the  purchase  of  linen  and  clothes.  I  was  two  months 


LOSS   OF  THE   FATTYSALEM.  55 

without  drawing  the  allowance  assigned  me  by  the  go- 
vernor. I  was  about  to  receive  it,  when  I  suddenly  re- 
ceived an  order  to  embark  in  the  Hawk,  which  was  still 
on  the  coast.  I  was  sick,  and  had  no  linen  made  up, 
nor  any  thing  necessary  to  set  out  on  so  long  a  voyage. 
I  was,  however,  pressed  to  set  off.  Colonel  Coote  had 
the  kindness  to  defer  my  departure,  and  the  Hawk  sailed 
without  me.  I  therefore  had  time  to  equip  myself.  I 
flattered  myself  that  Mr.  Van  Sittart,  to  whom,  in  the 
quality  of  an  officer  of  the  king's  etat-major  and  captain 
of  his  forces,  I  offered  the  necessary  securities,  or  bills 
of  exchange  on  the  French  East  India  Company,  would 
advance  me  a  sum  to  pay  the  debts  which  my  situation 
had  obliged  me  to  contract :  but  in  this  hope  I  found  my- 
self mistaken.  I  mentioned  this  subject  shortly  before 
my  departure  to  colonel  Coote,  who  sent  me  three  hun- 
dred rupees.  The  governor  hearing  of  it,  likewise  trans- 
mitted me  four  hundred.  This  was  all  I  received  from 
him,  and  I  could  not  help  receiving  this  scanty  relief, 
that  I  might  leave  no  debts  behind  me. 

On  the  2d  of  February,  I  left  Calcutta  and  returned  to 
Goupil,  on  the  Ganges,  where  I  embarked  in  the  Hol- 
dernesse,  commanded  by  captain  Brooke.  I  was  re- 
ceived with  great  kindness  by  the  captain,  who  had  on 
board  thirteen  or  fourteen  other  French  officers,  prison- 
ers like  myself.  The  ship  arrived  without  accident,  and 
after  a  month's  residence  at  London  I  was  permitted  to 
return  to  France. 


LOSS   OF   THE   AMERICAN   SHIP   HERCULES, 
On  the  Coast  of  Caffraria^  the  IQth  of  June,  1796. 

THE  account  of  the  fate  of  the  American  ship  Her- 
cules, (and  of  the  adventures  and  sufferings  of  her  crew,) 
which  set  out  on  her  voyage  from  Bengal  in  the  month 
of  December,  1795,  involves  so  much  interest,  as  cannot 
fail  to  prove  extremely  entertaining ;  nor  can  it  be  better 
detailed  than  from  the  account  given  by  the  commander, 
captain  Benjamin  Stout ;  whose  intention  it  was,  to  take 
in  a  private  freight  for  Hamburgh,  but  not  finding  one 
that  would  answer  his  expectations,  he  chartered  his 
ship  to  the  British  East  India  Company,  who  were  at 
that  time  busily  employed  in  shipping  rice  for  England. 
Intelligence  having,  reached  the  settlements  in  India  that 
a  failure  of  corn  throughout  the  whole  of  Great  Britain 
was  likely  to  produce  a  famine,  the  most  active  and 
laudable  exertions  were  made  in  India  to  supply  the 
markets  at  home  with  rice ;  and  he  received  on  board 
umvards  of  nine  thousand  bags,  with  directions  to  pro- 
ceed to  London  with  every  possible  despatch.  The  crew, 
most  of  which  having  been  engaged  in  India,  consisted 
Americans,  Danes,  Swedes,  Dutch,  Portuguese,  but 
chiefly  lascars,  amounting  in  the  whole,  men  and  boys, 
to  about  sixty-four.  The  necessary  arrangements  for  the 
voyage  being  completed,  they  sailed  from  Sugar-Roads 
on  the  17th  of  March,  1796. 

Nothing  material  occurred  during  the  voyage  until  the 
1st  of  June  following,  at  which  time  they  reached  the 
latitude  of  about  35°  south,  and  28°,  40' ,  east  longitude. 
It  then  began  to  blow  a  gale  from  the  westward,  which 
obliged  them  to  lay  to  under  their  mizzen  stay-sail  for  six 
days.  During  this  time  the  gale  continued  to  blow  from 


LOSS  OF   THE   AMERICAN   SHIP    HERCULES.  57 

the  west,  but  increased  progressively  until  the  7th,  when 
the  contentions  of  the  sea  and  winds  presented  a  scene 
of  horror,  of  which,  perhaps,  the  annals  of  marine  history 
give  us  no  example.  "  Although  bred  to  the  sea  (says 
captain  Stout)  from  my  earliest  life,  yet  all  I  had  ever 
seen  before,  all  I  had  ever  heard  of  or  read,  gave  me  no 
adequate  idea  of  those  sublime  effects  which  the  violence 
and  raging  of  the  elements  produce,  and  which,  at  this 
tremendous  hour,  seemed  to  threaten  nature  itself  with 
dissolution."  The  ship,  raised  on  mountains  of  waterr 
was  in  a  moment  precipitated  into  an  abyss,  where  she 
appeared  to  wait  until  the  coming  sea  raised  her  again 
into  the  clouds.  The  perpetual  roaring  of  the  elements 
echoing  through  the  void,  produced  such  an  aAvful  sen- 
sation in  the  minds  of  the  most  experienced  of  the  sea- 
men, that  several  of  them  appeared  for  some  time  in  a 
state  of  stupefaction ;  and  those  less  accustomed  to  the- 
dangers  of  the  sea  added  to  this  scene  of  misery  by  their 
shriekings  and  exclamations. 

The  terrors  of  the  day  could  only  be  surpassed  by 
those  of  the  night.  When  the  darkness  came  on,  it  is 
impossible  for  man  to  describe,  or  human  imagination  to- 
conceive,  a  scene  of  more  transcendent  and  complicated 
horror.  To  fill  up  the  measure  of  their  calamities,  about 
the  hour  of  midnight  a  sudden  shift  of  wind  threw  the 
ship  infb  the  trough  of  the  sea,  which  struck  her  aft,  tore 
away  the  rudder,  started  the  stern  post  from  the  hauden 
ends,  and  shattered  the  whole  of  her  stern  frame.  The 
pumps  were  immediately  sounded,  and  in  the  course  of 
a  few  minutes  the  water  had  increased  to  four  feet.  A 
gang  was  immediately  ordered  to  the  pumps,  and  the  re- 
mainder were  employed  in  getting  up  rice  out  of  the  run 
of  the  ship,  and  heaving  it  overboard,  in  order,  if  possi- 
ble, to  get  at  the  leak.  After  three  or  four  hundred  bags 
were  thrown  into  the  sea,  the  principal  leak  was  disco- 
vered, and  the  water  poured  in  with  astonishing  rapidity. 
In  order,  therefore,  to  decrease  as  much  as  possible  the 
influx  of  water,  sheets,  shirts,  jackets,  bales  of  muslin, 
and  every  thing  of  the  like  description  were  thrust  into 
the  aperture.  Had  not  these  exertions  been  attended 


58  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 

with  some  success,  the  ship  must  certainly  have  gone 
down,  although  the  pumps  delivered  fifty  tons  of  water 
an  hour. 

As  the  next  day  advanced,  the  weather  began  to  mode- 
rate. The  men  worked  incessantly  at  the  pumps,  and 
every  exertion  was  made  to  keep  the  ship  afloat.  They 
were  at  this  time  about  two  hundred  miles  from  the  east- 
ern coast  of  Africa. 

On  the  9th,  although  the  violence  of  the  tempest  had 
in  a  great  measure  subsided,  yet  the  swell  of  the  sea  was 
tremendous.  The  longboat  was  ordered  out ;  but  the 
captain  having  reason  to  suspect  that  some  of  the  ciew 
would  endeavor  to  make  off  with  her,  he  directed  the 
second  mate  and  three  seamen  to  take  possession  of  her ; 
at  the  same  time  giving  them  arms  and  express  orders  to 
shoot  the  first  man  who  attempted  to  board  her  without 
his  permission.  They  were  also  instructed  to  keep 
astern,  but  to  stick  by  the  ship  until  they  came  to  an  an- 
chor. 

The  men  having  taken:  their  station  in  the  boat,  a  raft 
was  ordered  to  be  made  of  all  the  large  spars,  which  was 
accordingly  done.  The  whole  when  lashed  together 
measured  about  thirty-five  feet  in  length,  and  fifteen  in 
breadth.  At  this  time  the  captain  apprehended  the  £hip 
could  not  make  the  land,  and  being  convinced,  in  case 
of  her  going  down,  that  all  the  people  could  nofrbe  re- 
ceived into  the  longboat,  determined  not  to  neglect  any 
measure  that  presented  even  a  chance  of  saving  the 
whole. 

When  the  second  mate  was  preparing  to  obey  the  or- 
ders he  had  received,  and  take  command  of  the  long- 
boat, the  carpenter  addressed  the  captain  in  a  respectful 
manner,  and  earnestly  entreated  him  to  leave  the  ship. 
On  being  reprimanded  for  not  attending  to  the  pumps, 
the  man  burst  into  tears,  and  declared,  that  the  whole 
of  the  stern  frame  was  shook  and  loosened  in  such  a 
manner,  that  he  expected  every  minute  she  would  go 
down.  The  miserable  appearance  of  this  man,  and  the 
affecting  tone  of  voice  in  which  he  delivered  his  appre- 
hensions, considerably  increased  the  terrors  of  the  crew ; 


LOSS   OF   THE  AMERICAN   SHIP   HERCULES.  6$ 

whereupon  the  captain  thought  it  necessary  to  declare 
that  he  would  perform  -his  duty  and  stick  to  the  ship 
until  he  was  convinced  frotn  his  own  observation  that 
all  hope  of  saving  her  was  at  an  end.  The  carpenter 
repeated  his  solicitations,  when  he  was  ordered  to  his 
post,  and  assured,  at  the  same  time,  that  unless  he  made 
every  exertion  to  encourage  the  people  in  their  duty  at 
the  pumps,  he  should  be  immediately  thrown  into  the 
sea.  He  retired,  and  exerted  himself  afterwards  with  a 
manly  perseverance. 

The  captain  was  immediately  addressed  oil  the  de- 
parture of  the  carpenter  by  many  of  the  sailors,  and  on 
the  same  subject.  They  were  so  clamorous,  and  diffused 
so  much  in  their  opinions,  that  he  was  nearly  going  to 
extremes  with  some  of  them. 

These  circumstances  are  mentioned  as  a  caution  to 
future  navigators,  who  are  intrusted  with  a  command. 
They  too  frequently  listen  to  the  opinion  of  their  people 
in  time  of  danger,  who  are  generally  for  quitting  the  ship, 
and  taking  to  boats,  masts,  yards  and  spars  formed  into 
rafts,  or  whatever  timbers  they  can  lash  together ;  in- 
deed, as  the  prejudices  and  sentiments  of  the  common 
sailors  on  these  occasions  are  so  various,  it  is  not  to  be 
supposed  that  any  thing  can  arise  from  such  a  mistaken 
conduct  but  confusion  and  misfortune. 

A  crew,  such  as  composed  that  of  the  Hercules,  which 
consisted  of  people  of  various  nations,  require  indeed 
from  their  commander  a  peculiar  attention.  It  may 
happen,  that  by  humoring  their  religious  prejudices  at  a 
particular  moment,  an  essential  service  may  be  obtained  ; 
and  the  following  remarkable  anecdote  will  tend  to  elu- 
cidate this  opinion. 

At  a  period  when  the  tempest  raged  with  the  utmost 
violence,  the  captain  directed  most  of  the  crew  below, 
particularly  the  lascaxs,  to  work  the  pumps.  One  of 
them,  however,  was  perceived  coming  up  the  gangway, 
with  a  handkerchief  in  his  hand ;  and  on  being  question- 
ed what  he  was  about,  he  answered  in  a  tone  of  voice 
*!iat  discovered  a  perfect  confidence  in  the  measure  he 
proposed,  that  he  was  going  to  make  an  offering  to  his 


60  REMARKABLE  SHIPWRECKS. 

god.  "  This  handkerchief,"  said  h'e,  "  contains  a  certain 
quantity  of  rice,  and  all  the  rupees  I  am  worth ;  suffer 
me  to  lash  it  to  the  mizzen-top,  and  rely  upon  it.  sir,  we 
shall  all  be  saved."  The  captain  was  going  to  order 
him  back  to  the  pumps,  but  recollecting  that  in  so  doing 
he  might  throw  both  him  and  his  countrymen  into  a 
state  of  despondency,  and  thereby  lose  the  benefits  of 
their  exertions,  he  acquiesced.  The  lascar  thanked  him, 
and  he  soon  beheld  the  child  of  prejudice  mount  the  tot- 
tering ladder  without  discovering  a  single  apprehension. 
He  lashed  the  handkerchief  to  the  mizzen  top-mast  head, 
fearless  of  all  danger,  and  arrived  in  safety  on  the  dec£. 
Confident  now  that  his  god  was  the  captain's  friend,  he 
Went  below  to  inform  his  brethren  that  he  had  done  his 
duty ;  all  the  lascars  seemed  transported  with  joy,  em- 
braced their  virtuous  companion,  and  then  labored  at  the 
pumps  with  as  much  alacrity  and  perseverance  as  if  they 
had  encountered,  before,  neither  apprehension  nor  fa- 
tigue. To  their  unceasing  labors  was  owing,  in  a  great 
measure,  the  preservation  of  his  people. 

The  shift  of  wind  which  threw  the  ship  into  the 
trough  of  the  sea  and  tore  away  the  rudder,  was  fortu- 
nately a  squall  of  but  short  duration,  not  continuing 
above  a  quarter  of  an  hour.  Had  it  lasted  but  a  little 
longer,  the  ship  must  have  been  torn  to  pieces.  The 
wind  came  round  to  its  former  quarter,  and  moderated 
gradually. 

After  the  longboat  had  been  delivered  to  the  care  of 
the  second  mate,  and  the  raft  completed,  the  captain  held 
«.  consultation  with  the  officers,  and  they  were  all  decid- 
edly of  opinion  that  it  was  impossible  to  save  the  ship, 
and  that  they  had  no  other  chance  to  preserve  their  lives 
than  to  make  the  land  and  run  her  on  shore. 

The  people,  when  informed  of  the  issue  of  this  consul- 
tation, appeared  to  work  with  renovated  spirits.  This 
disposition  was  kept  up  by  being  assured  they  would 
soon  be  within  sight  of  land,  and  that  by  constantly 
working  at  the  pumps,  the  ship  would  be  kept  afloat 
until  they  reached  the  shore. 

She  remained  for  some  time  unmanageable,  frequently 


LOSS  OF  THE  AMERICAN  SHIP  HERCULES.  61 

Standing  with  her  head  from  the  land,  which  all  their 
efforts  could  not  prevent.  The  captain  got  a  rudder 
made  out  of  the  top-mast,  and  fixed  in  the  place  of  the 
one  they  had  lost ;  but  it  was  found  of  little  use  without 
the  help  of  the  longboat,  which  he  ordered  therefore  to 
be  hauled  athwart  her  stern,  and  this  served,  although 
with  the  greatest  difficulty,  to  get  her  head  towards  the 
shore,  the  wind  being  variable  from  the  eastward.  A 
cable  could  have  been  got  out,  that  might  have  answer- 
ed tolerably  well  to  steer  the  ship ;  but  the  people  could 
not  be  spared  from  the  pumps  to  attend  roussing  in  on 
the  tackles,  or  guise,  as  occasion  might  require. 

On  the  evening,  however,  of  the  15th,  they  discovered 
land  at  about  six  leagues'  distance.  All  on  board  at  this 
moment  expressed  their  joy  in  shouts  and  acclamations. 
The  ship  still  kept  nearing  the  shore,  with  five  feet  water 
in  her  hold. 

On  the  16th,  in  the  morning,  being  then  about  two 
miles  from  the  land,  and  the  wind  from  the  westward, 
the  captain  ordered  the  anchor  to  be  let  go,  that  a  last 
effort  might  be  made  to  stop  the  leaks,  and,  if  possible, 
save  the  ship.  But  her  stern  was  shattered  in  such  a 
manner,  that  after  holding  another  consultation  with  his 
officers,  it  was  finally  resolved  to  run  the  ship  on  the 
coast  then  opposite  to  them.  Another  gale  threatened 
them,  and  no  time  was  to  be  lost. 

The  captain  immediately  ordered  his  second  mate, 
who  was  in  the  boat,  to  come  on  board,  and  he  then 
delivered  into  his  custody  the  ship's  register,  and  all  the 
papers  of  consequence  he  had.  After  providing  him  and 
his  three  men  with  water  and  provisions,  he  ordered  him 
into  the  boat  again,  with  directions,  to" keep  in  the  offmg; 
arid  that  after  they  had  run  the  ship  on  shore,  provided 
they  got  safe  to  land,  he  would  search  for  some  inlet  into 
which  he  might  run  with  safety.  They  desired  him  also 
to  look  out  for  signals  which  would  be  occasionally 
thrown  out  from  the  shore  to  direct  his  course.  The 
mate  faithfully  promised  to  obey  his  instructions,  and 
then  returned  to  his  boat. 

They  were  now  on  the  coast  of  Caffraria,  within  a 
G 


62  REMARKABLE  SHIPWRECKS. 

few  leagues  where  the  Infanta  river  empties  itself  into 
the  sea.  A  dreadful  crisis  approached,  and  they  agreed 
to  meet  it  with  becoming  fortitude.  The  captain  there- 
fore gave  directions  to  set  the  head  sail,  to  heave  the 
spring  well  taught,  in  order  to  get  her  head  towards  the 
shore,  and  then  to  cut  the  cable  and  the  spring.  His 
orders  were  obeyed  with  the  greatest  promptitude. 

After  running  until  within  something  less  than  half  a 
mile  of  the  shore,  she  struck  on  a  cluster  of  rocks.  The 
swell  at  this  moment  was  tremendous;  and  from  the 
ship's  thumping  so  violently,  it  was  scarcely  possible  for 
the  men  to  hold  on.  In  this  situation  she  remained  for 
about  three  or  four  minutes,  when  a  sea  took  her  over 
the  rocks,  and  carried  her  about  a  cable's  length  nearer 
the  shore,  where  she  again  struck,, and  kept  heaving  in 
with  a  dreadful  surf,  which  every  moment  made  a 
breach  over  her. 

The  lashings  that  held  the  raft  having  given  way,  and 
the  spars  carried  to  a  considerable  distance  from  the 
ship,  they  lost  all  hope  from  that  quarter.  At  length 
one  of  the  crew,  who  was  a  black,  plunged  into  the 
\vaves,  and  by  exertions  which  seemed  more  than  hu- 
man, gained  and  seated  himself  on  the  raft.  He  scarcely 
remained  in  that  situation  for  ten  minutes,  when  the 
whole  was  turned  over  and  the  man  completely  enve- 
loped in  the  sea.  In  a  few  moments,  however,  they 
perceived  him  in  his  former  seat.  Again  he  endured  a 
similar  misfortune ;  and  a  third  succeeded.  Still  he 
buifeted  the  waves,  and  gained  the  raft,  until  at  length, 
after  suffering  two  hours  of  fatigue,  which,  until  then, 
the  captain  could  not  possibly  imagine  human  nature 
could  survive,  he  drifted  on  land. 

The  natives,  who  had  kindled  several  fires,  appeared 
in  great  numbers  on  the  shore.  They  were  mostly 
clothed  in  skins,  armed  with  spears,  and  accompanied 
by  a  vast  number  of  dogs.  A  party  of  them  seized  the 
man  who  had  landed,  and  conducted  him  behind  the 
sand-hills  that  line  the  coast,  and  which  hid  him  entirely 
from  their  view. 

Twelve  of  the  crew  now  launched  themselves  on  dif- 


LOSS  OF  THE  AMERICAN  SHIP  HERCULES.  63 

ferent  spars,  and  whatever  pieces  of  timber  they  could 
find.  They  braved  all  difficulties  and  at  last  gained  the 
land.  No  sooner  had  they  reached  the  beach  than  the 
natives  came  down,  seized  and  conducted  them  also  be- 
hind the  sand-hills.  As  it  was  impossible  for  those  who 
remained  on  board  to  discover  what  they  were  about, 
and  observing  several  parties  of  the  natives  appear  at 
different  times  on  the  shore,  but  not  accompanied  by  any 
of  the  people,  they  conceived  all  those  who  had  landed 
were  massacred,  and  that  a  similar  fate  awaited  the 
whole  of  them.  They  who  had  remained  on  board  the 
ship  were  obliged  to  shelter  themselves  in  the  forecastle, 
as  the  wreck  becoming  a  fixed  object,  the  sea  made  over 
her,  and  there  was  no  other  part  where  they  could  remain, 
even  for  a  moment,  in  a  state  of  security. 

Suspense  and  apprehension  reigned  during  the  whole 
of  the  night.  Some  were  of  opinion,  that  to  avoid  being 
tortured  by  the  savages,  and  perhaps  thrown  into  the 
fires  they  had  perceived  on  shore,  it  would  be  more  ad- 
visable to  resign  themselves  to  a  watery  element,  as  in 
that  situation  they  should  only  endure  a  few  struggles, 
and  then  life  would  be  no  more.  Others  entertained 
different  sentiments,  and  were  for  making  the  shore  in 
as  compact  a  body  as  possible.  "  We  shall  then,"  said 
they,  1' attack  the  savages  with  stones,  or  whatever  we 
can  find."  This  was  overruled  as  a  measure  impracti- 
cable ;  there  was  no  possibility  of  six  men  keeping  toge- 
ther ;  but  if  such  a  number  could,  by  a  miracle,  get  on 
shore  without  being  divided* the  natives  could  destroy 
them  in  a  moment  with  their  spears.  The  whole  of  this 
miserable  night  was  spent  in  such  consultations ;  and  as 
the  next  sun  was  to  light  them  to  their  fate,  they  trem- 
bled at  its  approaching  the  horizon. 

As  soon  as  morning  appeared,  they  looked  towards 
the  shore ;  but  not  an  individual  was  to  be  seen.  Dis- 
traction was  now  visible  in  every  countenance,  and  what 
death  to  choose  the  principal  consideration.  At  length, 
about  the  hour  of  nine,  the  scene  changed  in  a  moment. 
A  delirium  of  ecstasy  succeeded,  which  no  pencil  can 
portray,  no  being  can  conceive,  but  those  who  beheld  it. 


64  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 

All  the  people  who  had  landed  the  day  before  were 
observed  making  towards  the  shore ;  and  they  soon  per- 
ceived them  beckoning  and  inviting  them  to  land.  In  a 
few  minutes,  every  spar,  grating,  and  piece  of  timber 
that  could  be  procured,  were  afloat,  and  completely  oc- 
cupied ;  some  with  two  people,  others  with  more,  accord- 
ing to  the  size.  "I  immediately  (says  the  captain) 
stripped  off  my  shirt,  put  on  a  short  jacket,  wrapped  a 
shawl  round  my  waist,  in  the  corner  of  which  I  put  a 
gold  watch,  and  keeping  my  breeches  on,  seized  a  spar 
and  launched  into  the  sea.  For  nearly  three  quarters  of 
an  hour  I  preserved  my  hold,  and  drifted  towards  the 
shore.  Sometimes  I  was  cast  so  near  as  to  touch  the 
rocks  with  my  feet,  then  hurried  away  to  a  considerable 
distance;  again  I  was  precipitated  forward,  and  in  a 
moment  afterwards  carried  off  by  the  returning  sea.  At 
length  a  sudden  jerk,  occasioned  by  the  swell,  strained 
both  my  arms,  and  I  was  compelled  to  quit  the  spar. 
At  this  instant,  although  a  considerable  distance  from 
the  beach,  a  wave  that  was  proceeding  rapidly  towards 
the  shore  bore  me  along,  and  in  a  few  moments  cast  me 
senseless  on  the  sand.  My  people  who  were  on  shore 
observed  my  situation ;  they  ran  down,  and  snatching 
me  from  the  danger  of  the  coming  waves,  bore  me  to 
a  place  of  security.  I  was  insensible  at  this  time,  but 
soon  revived,  as  they  placed  me  near  a  fire,  and  used 
every  means  in  their  power  for  my  recovery.  The  first 
subject  of  inquiry,  when  my  faculties  returned,  was,  of 
course,  the  fate  of  my  unfortunate  crew ;  and  I  enjoyed 
the  heart-felt  pleasure  of  beholding  them  all  around  me, 
except  them  in  the  longboat,  and  one  man,  who  perished 
near  the  shore.  I  then  addressed  myself  to  the  natives; 
but  on  this  occasion  I  labored  under  the  difficulty  of  not 
being  understood.  I  knew  nothing  of  their  language, 
and  for  some  time  I  endeavored  to  explain  myself  by 
signs.  Fortunately  there  was  a  Hottentot  present,  who 
had  lived  with  the  Dutch  farmers,  and  could  speak  their 
language.  My  third  mate  was  a  Dutchman,  and  these 
served  as  interpreters. 

"  This  difficulty  being  happily  removed,  I  endeavored 


LOSS  OF  THE  AMERICAN  SHIP  HERCULES.  65 

by  6very  means  in  my  power  to  secure  the  friendship  of 
the  natives.  I  thanked  them  in  the  name  of  my  whole 
crew,  and  on  the  part  of  my  nation,  for  the  liberal  and 
humane  assistance  they  had  afforded  us  in  the  hour  of 
our  misfortune,  and  solicited  their  future  kindness  and 
support. 

41  This  being,  as  I  conceived,  at  no  great  distance  from 
the  spot  where  the  Grosvenor  was  lost  in  1782, 1  inquired 
of  the  natives  whether  any  of  them  remembered  such  a 
catastrophe.  Most  of  them  answered  in  the  affirmative, 
and,  ascending  one  of  the  sand-hills,  pointed  to  the  place 
where  the  Grosvenor  suffered. 

"  I  then  desired  to  know  of  them  whether  they  had 
received  any  certain  accounts  respecting  the  fate  of  cap- 
tain Coxson,  who  commanded  the  Grosvenor,  and  who 
was  proceeding  on  his  way  to  the  Cape,  with  several 
men  and  women  passengers,  who  were  saved  from  the 
wreck.  They  answered,  that  captain  Coxson  and  his 
men  were  slain.  One  of  the  chiefs  having  insisted  on 
taking  two  of  the  white  ladies  to  his  kraal,  the  captain 
and  people  resisted,  and  not  being  armed,  were  immedi- 
ately destroyed.  The  natives,  at  the  same  time,  gave 
me  to  understand,  that  at  the  period  when  the  Grosvenor 
was  wrecked,  their  nation  was  at  war  with  the  colonists ; 
and  as  the  captain  and  his  crew  were  whites,  they  could 
not  tell,  provided  they  had  reached  the  Christian  farms, 
but  they  would  assist  the  colonies  in  the  war.  This 
affected  my  situation  so  directly,  that  I  desired  to  know 
on  what  terms  the  Caffres  and  the  colonists  then  stood. 
'  We  are  friends,'  said  they,  '  and  it  will  be  their  fault  if 
we  are  not  always  so.' 

"  This  answer  relieved  me  from  a  very  serious  embar- 
rassment ;  but  the  fate  of  the  two  unfortunate  ladies  gave 
me  so  much  uneasiness,  that  I  most  earnestly  requested 
of  them  to  tell  me  all  they  knew  of  their  situation ;  whe- 
ther they. were  alive  or  dead;  and  if  living,  in  what  part 
of  the  country  they  were  situated.  They  replied,  and 
with  apparent  concern,  that  one  of  the  ladies  had  died 
a  short  time  after  her  arrival  at  the  kraal ;  but  they  un- 
derstood the  other  was  living,  and  had  several  children 
6* 


66  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 

by  the  chief.  '  Where  she  now  is,'  said  they,  '  we  know 
not.' 

"  After  1  had  received  every  possible  information  on 
this  melancholy  subject,  we  employed  ourselves  princi- 
pally during  the  remainder  of  the"  day  in  assisting  the 
natives  to  save  whatever  came  on  shore  from  the  wreck. 
When  they  got  a  piece  of  timber,  they  placed  it  immedi- 
ately on  the  fire,  as  the  readiest  method  of  procuring  the 
iron,  which  they  sought  after  with  the  most  persevering 
diligence." 

When  night  came  on,  the  natives  retired,  and  they  left 
us  to  sleep  under  the  sand-hills,  without  covering,  and 
without  food.  The  weather  was  boisterous,  and  a  strong 
wind  from  the  westward,  and  the  cold  severe :  a  consul- 
tation was  held  in  what  manner  they  should  dispose  of 
themselves  until  morning,  and  they  at  length  resolved 
that  some  of  them  should  keep  watch  during  the  night, 
and  the  rest  place  themselves  near  the  fire,  and,  if  possi- 
ble, obtain  a  little  rest. 

The  night  passed  without  any  of  the  unfortunate  suf- 
ferers enjoying  a  moment  of  repose.  Their  bodies  on 
one  side  were  heated  by  the  fire,  but  the  cold  chilled  the 
other  in  such  a  manner  as  to  render  the  pain  hardly 
supportable.  The  sand,  driven  by  the  winds  in  prodi- 
gious quantities,  filled  their  eyes,  ears,  and  mouths,  as 
they  lay  under  the  banks,  and  kept  them  in  perpetual 
motion.  They  likewise  entertained  apprehensions  re- 
specting the  natives. 

At  length  day  appeared,  and  the  Caifres  returned  in 
great  numbers.  The  chief,  knowing  they  were  in  want 
of  food,  brought  a  bullock,  which  they  immediately 
slaughtered  by  knocking  the  animal  on  the  head  with 
clubs,  and  penetrating  its  sides  with  their  spears.  It 
was  skinned  almost  in  a  moment,  and  they  cut  it  up  in 
lumps,  which  they  placed  on  the  fire  to  singe,  rather 
than  to  roast,  and  then  devoured  their  respective  shares 
with  the  highest  satisfaction.  The  beast,  as  it  was  given 
to  the  famished  crew,  it  might  be  supposed  would  be 
left  for  their  own  disposal ;  but  the  Caffres  were  hungry, 
and  they  knew  nothing  of  European  etiquette.  It  is  true 


LOSS  OF  THE  AMERICAN  SHIP  HERCULES.  67 

they  presented  the  bullock  to  them  as  a  donation ;  but 
they  saw  no  reason  why  they  should  not  dispose  of  the 
greater  part  of  it. 

On  cutting  up  the  animal,  it  was  observed  they  paid 
more  than  ordinary  attention  to  the  paunch.  Several  of 
the  Caffres  laid  violent  hands  on  it ;  and  after  giving  it 
a  shake  for  the  purpose  of  emptying  the  contents,  they 
tore  the  greater  part  in  slits  with  their  teeth,  and  swal- 
lowed the'  whole  as  it  came  warm  from  the  beast. 

Their  meal,  such  as  it  was.  being  finished,  part  of  the 
crew  proceeded  to  the  shore,  and  the  longboat  was  ob- 
served at  a  considerable  distance.  The  ship  was  divid- 
ing very  fast,  and  the  gale  increasing;  many  things 
were  therefore  cast  on  shore,  which  the  Caffres  were 
indefatigable  in  procuring.  A  cask,  however,  was 
thrown  on  the  beach,  which  considerably  excited  the 
captain's  anxiety :  it  contained  sixty  gallons  of  rum,  a 
quantity  sufficient  to  have  intoxicated  the  whole  of  the 
natives,  although  they  amounted  to  at  least  three  hun- 
dred. The  predilection  for  such  liquor  is  well  known, 
and  the  consequences  of  their  intoxication  were  particu- 
larly dreaded  by  the  captain.  The  only  way  left  was 
to  steal  to  the  spot  where  the  cask  lay,  and  stave  in  the 
head  without  being  perceived  by  them.  This  was  hap- 
pily accomplished,  and  they  afterwards  stripped  the  ves- 
sel of  the  iron  hoops,  without  discovering  what  had 
been  done,  or  what  it  formerly  contained. 

In  the  general  search  on  the  shore,  one  of  the  Caffres 
had  picked  up  the  ship's  compass.  Not  knowing  what 
it  was,  yet  pleased  with  its  formation,  he  delivered  it  to 
the  chief,  who  immediately  took  it  to  pieces ;  and  after 
contemplating  the  various  parts,  took  the  copper  ring  in 
which  it  hung,  and  suspended  it  from  his  neck.  He 
appeared  highly  pleased  with  the  ornament;  and  this 
circumstance  induced  the  captain  to  present  him  with 
one  still  more  glittering,  and  of  course,  in  his  estimation, 
more  valuable :  recollecting  that  he  had  in  his  possession 
a  pair  of  paste  knee-buckles,  he  presented  them  to  the 
chief,  and  hung  one  upon  each  of  his  ears. 

The  moment  this  was  done,  the  chief  stalked  about 


68  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

with  an  air  of  uncommon  dignity.  His  people  seemed 
to  pay  him  greater  reverence  than  before,  and  they  were 
employed  for  some  time  in  gazing  at  the  brilliancy  of  the 
ornaments,  and  contemplating  the  august  deportment  of 
their  chief  magistrate. 

Towards  evening  the  captain  again  addressed  the 
chief  on  the  subject  of  their  departure.  He  requested  he 
would  send  a  guide  with  them  through  the  deserts  to 
the  first  Christian  settlement,  and  that  nothing  should 
be  wanting  on  his  part  to  recompense  his  kindness. 
The  Caffre  paused  for  a  moment,  and  then  very  coolly 
replied,  that  he  would  gratify  the  captain's  wishes ;  and 
being  desired  to  name  the  time  when  he  would  suffer 
them  to  depart,  he  gravely  answered,  "  When  I  consider 
that  matter  you  shall  be  made  acquainted  with  my  de- 
termination." This  answer  alarmed  the  unfortunate 
sufferers.  The  countenance  of  the  savage  appeared  to 
discover  some  hostile  measure  that  was  lurking  in  his 
mind ;  and  yet  his  former  conduct  was  so  liberal  and 
humane,  that  they  had  no  just  ground  for  suspecting 
his  integrity.  The  natives,  however,  were  perceived 
consulting  together  in  parties,  and  from  their  gestures 
nothing  favorable  could  be  perceived.  When  the  day 
was  drawing  to  a  close,  the  crew  was  left  to  rest  under 
the  sand-hills,  as  on  the  former  night. 

The  fire  was  recruited  with  some  timber  from  the 
wreck,  and  sentinels  placed  as  before.  The  wind  blow- 
ing hard  from  the  same  quarter,  they  were  again  .tor- 
mented with  clouds  of  sand,  and  a  chilling  atmosphere. 
June  being  one  of  the  winter  months,  they  had  to  en- 
counter the  severities  of  the  season.  It  was  impossible 
to  shift  their  quarters,  as  they  could  not  procure  timber 
to  light  new  fires,  and  the  Caffres  might  be  displeased  at 
their  not  remaining  in  their  former  situation.  The  night 
passed  in  consultations  and  gloomy  predictions.  The 
captain  told  his  people  not  to  do  any  thing  that  might 
have  the  least  tendency  to  displease  the  natives ;  to  give 
rJhem  every  thing  they  asked  for,  as  the  inhabitants  of 
these  deserts  were  only  to  be  dreaded  when  provoked  ; 
Lut  at  the  same  time,  if,  contrary  to  their  expectation, 


r'  LOSS  OF  THE  AMERICAN  SHIP  HERCULES.  69 

they  made  an  attack,  or  endeavored  to  detain  them  after 
a  certain  time,  then  he  hoped  they  would  firmly  unite, 
and  either  force  their  way  or  perish  in  the  conflict. 

When  the  sun  made  its  appearance,  they  mounted  the 
most  elevated  of  the  sand-hills  to  look  out  for  the  long- 
boat ;  but  she  was  not  to  be  discovered  in  any  direction. 
In  a  short  time  they  perceived  the  Caffres  advancing. 
Most  of  them  had  assagays  in  their  hands ;  others  were 
furnished  with  clubs ;  some  were  decorated  with  ostrich 
feathers,  and  their  chief  wore  a  leopard-skin,  -with  the 
captain's  knee-buckles  suspended  as  before.  They  sa- 
luted the  crew  in  a  very  friendly  manner,  and  were 
accompanied  by  them  to  the  beach.  The  wind  had 
increased  during  the  night,  and  several  parts  of  the  ship 
came  on  shore.  One  of  the  people  had  picked  up  a 
handsaw,  and  as  he  perceived  the  Caffres  were  indefa- 
tigable in  procuring  iron,  he  hid  it  in  the  sands.  This  ' 
was  a  valuable  acquisition,  and  became  of  infinite  ser- 
vice to  them  in  the  course  of  their  proceedings. 

Having  secured  all  they  could  obtain  from  the  wreck, 
the  captain  requested  the  chief  to  order  some  of  his  peo  • 
pie  to  display  their  skill  in  the  use  of  the  assagays.  This 
is  a  spear  of  about  four  feet  six  inches  in  length,  made  of 
an  elastic  wood,  and  pointed  with  iron,  which  the  natives 
contrive  to  poison  so  effectually,  that  if  it  wounds  either 
man  or  beast,  death  is  the  inevitable  consequence. 

The  captain's  wishes  were  immediately  gratified. 
The  Caffres  first  placed  a  block  of  wood  on  the  ground , 
and  then  retired  about  seventy  yards  from  the  spot  where 
it  lay.  The  chief  then  said  they  would  now  behold 
their  manner  of  fighting  when  engaged  in  battle.  These 
compliances,  as  they  seemed  to  remove  former  suspicions, 
gave  great  satisfaction  to  the  sufferers.  A  party  of  about 
thirty  began  their  manoeuvring.  They  first  ran  to  a 
considerable  distance ;  then  fell,  as  if  motionless,  on  the 
ground ;  in  a  moment  they  started  up,  divided,  joined 
again,  and  ran  in  a  compact  body  to  the  spot  from 
whence  they  originally  set  out.  After  halting  for  about 
a  minute,  they  let  fly  a  shower  of  assagays  at  the  mark, 
and  with  a  precision  that  was  truly  astonishing. 


i 


70  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

Not  a  word  more  passed  this  day  about  the  departure 
of  the  crew.  The  natives  retired  as  usual  on  the  ap- 
proach of  night.  All  were  employed  to  gather  wood ; 
and  after  procuring  a  sufficient  quantity,  they  stretched 
themselves  on  the  ground,  and  in  spite  of  wind,  sand, 
and  cold,  slept  until  morning. 

When  day  appeared,  all  were  again  employed  in  look- 
ing out  for  the  longboat ;  but  she  was  not  to  be  seen,  nor 
did  they  ever  hear  of  her  again. 

The  Caffres  did  not  make  their  appearance  this  day 
until  the  sun  had  proceeded  two  hours  in  its  course.  As 
little  now  was  to  be  procured  from  the  wreck,  captain 
Stout  begged  the  chief  to  appoint  a  guide  for  himself  and 
crew,  as  he  proposed  taking  his  departure  onN  the  next 
day.  "  I  shall  furnish  you  with  two,"  said  the  chief. 
These  joyful  tidings  were  delivered  with  so.  much  frank- 
ness, that  the  captain  was  relieved  at  once  from  all  ap- 
prehension and  suspicion.  * 

Desirous  of  having  the  Hottentot  who  served  as  an  in- 
terpreter to  accompany  them  through  the  desert,  the 
chief  was  given  to  understand  how  much  the  services  of 
this  man  would  not  only  contribute  to  their  pleasure,  but 
also  to  their  safety.  The  honest  savage,  however,  had 
anticipated  their  wishes ;  he  had  previously  mentioned 
it  to  the  Hottentot,  who  had  consented  to  proceed  to  the 
first  Christian  farm.  Another  of  the  tribe,  who  was  bet- 
ter acquainted  with  the  country,  had  likewise  agreed  to 
be  of  the  party;  and  this  information,  which  was  com- 
municated to  the  crew,  diffused  a  general  joy  and  satis- 
faction. 

After  assuring  the  chief  and  the  Caffres  in  general  of 
our  unalterable  friendship,  and  that  the  guides  should 
be  rewarded  to  the  extent  of  their  wishes,  "  I  told  him, 
(says  the  captain,)  we  had  endured  great  distress  for 
want  of  water,  and  begged  to  know  where  we  could  pro- 
cure some.  '  I  will  conduct  you,'  said  he,  '  to  a  spring 
oi"  excellent  water  ;  it  is  not  far  from  this  place  ;  and,  if 

SDU  think  proper,  we  will  proceed  directly  to  the  spot.' 
o  sooner  was  the  proposal  made  than  we  set  out ;  the 
Caffres  singing  and  dancing  as  they  proceeded,  and  my 


LOSS   OF   THE   AMERICAN   SHIP  HERCULES.  71 

people,  although  not  without  suspicion,  in  tolerable  spi- 
rits." 

After  travelling  westward  about  four  miles  through  a 
delightful  country,  they  came  at  last  to  a  wood,  in  the 
bosom  of  which  was  discovered  a  hollow.  The  Caffres 
descended  first,  and  when  they  all  arrived  at  the  bot- 
tom, the  chief  pointed  to  the  brook.  They  drank  of  the 
water  and  found  it  delicious.  After  allaying  their  thirst, 
they  looked  about,  and  from  the  dismal  appearance  of  the 
place,  Avere  again  in  a  state  of  apprehension ;  being 
mostly  of  opinion,  that  nothing  less  was  intended  by  the 
Caffres  than  to  massacre  the  whole  party  in  this  se- 
questered place ;  that  they  were  decoyed  here  for  the 
purpose  ;  and  that  every  man  should  prepare  to  defend 
his  life.  The  captain,  however,  endeavored  to  quiet 
their  apprehensions,  and  at  last  succeeded. 

The  Caffres  having  invited  the  party  to  remain  on 
this  spot  during  the  night,  they  began  to  prepare  wood 
for  the  fires.  All  hands  went  to  work,  and  by  the  as- 
sistance of  a  handsaw,  they  procured  some  dry  trees  and 
underwood,  that  afforded  a  very  comfortable  fire.  One 
of  the  Hottentots,  who  was  so  rich  as  to  possess  a  tinder- 
box,  struck  a  light ;  and  this  accommodation  being  not 
only  highly  useful,  but  unexpected,  gave  new  spirits  to 
the  whole  party. 

The  natives,  as  the  night  came  on,  did  not  retire  as 
usual  to  their  kraal.  This  gave  a  fresh  alarm,  which 
did  not  appear  to  be  without  some  cause  ;  situated  as  the 
party  then  were,  they  were  obliged  to  abide  the  event, 
and  therefore  prepared  for  the  worst  that  could  happen. 
The  watch  was  set  as  formerly ;  but  the  Caffres,  hud- 
dling together,  were  soon  lost  in  sleep.  This  place,  how- 
ever dismal  in  its  appearance,  afforded  a  tolerable  shelter 
for  the  night ;  clouds  of  sand  were  no  longer  trouble- 
some, and  the  severities  of  the  wind  and  cold  were  miti- 
gated by  the  friendly  shade  afforded  by  the  trees. 

"  We  were  roused,"  says  the  captain,  "  by  the  savages, 
as  the  sun  appeared,  and  we  departed  from  this  supposed 
Golgotha  in  tolerable  spirits.  We  had,  however,  con- 
sumed the  last  pound  of  our  bullock,  before  we  left  the 


72  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 

sand-hills,  and  our  party  began  to  dread  an  approaching 
famine.  I  mentioned  the  distress  of  my  people  to  the 
chief,  and  he  promised  to  relieve  us.  We  had  journeyed 
but  a  few  miles,  when  the  Caffres  told  us  we  must  re- 
main where  we  were  that  night.  We  accordingly  set  to 
work  to  procure  firewood,  and  had  scarcely  completed 
this  necessary  business,  when  the  chief  presented  us  with 
another  bullock.  It  was  soon  despatched,  skinned,  cut 
into  pieces  of  about  four  pounds  each,  and  we  then  pro- 
ceeded to  dress  them  as  provision  for  our  journey.  This 
was  a  business  of  so  much  importance,  that  most  of  the 
day  was  spent  in  accomplishing  it. 

"The  night  passed  with  less  apprehension  thanjje- 
fore,  and  when  the  morning  came,  we  prepared  for  our 
departure. 

"  The  moment  now  arrived  when  the  real  intentions 
of  the  Caffres  were  to  be  developed.  The  natives  came 
about  us,  and  assisted  in  dividing  the  provisions.  Each 
man  was  to  carry  his  own  stock,  which  amounted  to 
about  three  or  four  pounds  of  beef;  this,  with  some  bis- 
cuits, which  a  few  of  my  people  had  contrived  to  pre- 
serve from  the  wreck,  was  to  serve  us  until  we  reached 
a  Christian  settlement.  So  far  from  any  appearance  of 
hostility,  the  natives  seemed  to  view  our  departure  with 
regret.  I  took  the  chief  by  the  hand,  and  thanked  him 
for  his  great  and  friendly  attentions  to  me  and  my  un- 
fortunate crew  ;  assuring  him  at  the  same  time,  that  if  I 
survived  the  journey,  it  would  ever  be  my  first  considera- 
tion to  render  him  and  his  people  some  essential  service. 
He  thanked  me,  and  then  requested  I  would  tell  the 
colonists  our  ship  was -lost  at  sea,  and  so  distant  from  the 
land  that  no  part  of  her  could  possibly  reach  the  shore. 
He  also  desired  me  to  place  the  utmost  confidence  in  my 
guides,  as  they  would  certainly  direct  me  for  the  best. 
After  my  people  and  the  natives  had  exchanged  some 
mutual  civilities,  we  parted,  and  gave  one  another  a  last 
and  affectionate  adieu." 

They  did  not  take  their  departure  on  the  morning  of 
the  23d  until  the  sun  was  well  up.  The  guides  were  in- 
telligent, and  gave  them  to  understand  that  they  must 


LOSS   OP  THE  AMERICAN   SHIP  HERCULES.  73 

on  no  account  travel  early,  as  the  wild  beasts  constantly 
rose  with  the  sun,  and  then  ranged  the  deserts  in  quest 
of  their  prey.  As  they  were  all  unarmed,  a  single  lion, 
leopard,  or  panther  could  have  destroyed  most  of  them. 
It  became,  therefore,  highly  necessary  they  should  not 
stir  until  these  animals  had  satisfied  their  hunger,  and 
were  retired  for  the  day. 

Notwithstanding  this  cautious  and  necessary  advice, 
and  which  was  given  with  a  laudable  earnestness  for 
their  preservation,  still  the  people  were  so  desirous  of 
getting  on,  that  they  grew  uneasy  ;  but  the  guides  could 
not  be  induced  to  quit  the  fires  until  about  nine  o'clock, 
at  which  time  they  all  proceeded,  and  in  good  spirits. 

Not  more  than  three  or  four  of  the  party  were  at  this 
moment  in  possession  of  shoes.  They  had  many  hun- 
dred miles  to  travel  through  unknown  countries,  to  as- 
cend mountains  of  stupendous  elevation,  penetrate  woods, 
traverse  deserts,  and  ford  rivers ;  and  yet  they  were  to 
combat  all  these  difficulties  barefooted,  not  having  saved 
above  four  pair  of  shoes,  and  even  these  but  in  a  sad  con- 
dition. 

"  As  my  feet  were  naked,"  says  the  captain,  "  like 
most  of  my  people,  one  of  them  offered  me  an  old  pair 
of  boots  which  he  then  wore ;  but  I  refused  them.  My 
habiliments  were  a  short  jacket,  a  tablecloth,  which  I 
found  on  the  shore,  wrapt  round  my  loins  ;  a  shawl  over 
it ;  four  shirts,  which  I  wore  at  the  same  time ;  a  pair  of 
trousers,  and  a  hat.  We  bore  to  the  westward  on  our 
setting  out,  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  fresh  water  in 
the  course  of  our  journey.  Our  guides  observed,  that 
near  the  coast  the  water  was  generally  brackish ;  we 
therefore  struck  into  the  interior,  and  were  not  entirely 
disappointed  in  our  expectations." 

They  now  travelled  through  a  country  beautifully 
variegated  with  hills,  dales,  extensive  plains  finely 
watered,  but  less  wooded  than  the  former.  The  grass 
appeared  of  an  extraordinary  height ;  but  in  the  course 
they  pursued,  not  a  human  footstep  could  be  traced ;  no 
cattle,  nor  sign  of  cultivation,  could  be  observed.  They 
were  not  interrupted  by  any  beast  of  prey,  although  they 


74  HEMARKABLE  SHIPWRECKS; 

^distantly  perceived  their  dung.  At  length,  after  travel- 
ling about  thirty-five  miles,  they  began  to  feel  the  want 
of  wateri 

Having  searched  for  this  indispensable  aliment,  with 
the  utmost  anxiety  and  attention,  they  were  so  fortunate 
as  to  discover,  before  sunset,  a  brook  that  ran  near  the 
corner  of  a  wood  ;  and  here  they  determined  to  rest  for 
the  night.  They  began,  therefore,  to  prepare  a  sufficient 
quantity  of  fuel.  The  wood  was  chiefly  composed  of 
trees  that  partook  in  some  degree  of  the  nature  of  thorn  : 
they  cut  several,  and  arranged  their  fires.  One  of  the 
Caffres  struck  a  light,  and  the  whole^  in  a  few  minutes, 
was  in  a  blaze.  The  tinder  which  he  provided  was  of  a 
particular  description ;  it  consisted  of  a  pitchy  substance, 
extracted  from  a  reed,  and  so  tenacious  of  fire,  that  a 
single  spark  from  the  steel  caught  it  in  a  moment.  The 
weather  being  cold,  they  resolved  to  sleep  close  to  one 
another;  but  the  guides  told  them  the  place  they  had 
fixed  upon  to  rest  during  the  night  was  known  to  be  in- 
fested with  leopards,  and  that,  if  they  scented  the  party, 
nothing  could  prevent  them  from  destroying  some  of 
them.  This  intelligence  induced  them  to  enlarge  their 
fires,  and  they  began  to  consult  upon  other  measures 
that  were  likely  to  contribute  also  to  their  preservation. 
But  such  is  the  powerful  influence  of  Morpheus  over  the 
harassed  soul,  that  thejr  conversation  had  scarcely  com- 
menced on  this  important  subject,  when  they  were  all 
relieved  from  any  sense  of  danger,  by  gently  falling  into 
a  sound  sleep,  in  which  they  remained  in  perfect  securi- 
ty until  moxning. 

No  sooner  had  the  sun  peeped  above  the  horizon,  than 
they  were  all  roused  by  the  tremendous  roaring  of  lions. 
Never  were  men  in  a  situation  more  truly  alarming. 
Had  they  discovered  them  during  the  night,  they  must 
have  been  torn  to  pieces  when  sleeping,  as  not  an  indi- 
vidual could  attend  the  watch,  or  keep  awake  even  for 
an  hour.  They  therefore  congratulated  one  another  on 
rinding  they  had  all  escaped,  and  set  out  about  seven  in 
the  morning  in. company  with  their  guides.  They  soon 
arrived  at  the  bank  of  a  small  river,  which,  being  per- 


LOSS   OF   THE   AMERICAN   SHIP   HERCULES.  75 

fectly  dry,  they  crossed  without  difficulty.  Shortly  after 
they  came  to  another,  which  they  likewise  passed  in  a 
few  minutes.  They  reached  at  length  some  islands,  from 
the  tops  of  which  they  discovered  several  beautiful  vales, 
clothed  with  long  dry  grass,  and  clusters  of  trees;  in 
other  places,  forests  of  considerable  extent,  and  skirting 
mountains  of  different  elevations.  In  the  course  of  the 
day  they  were  in  great  distress  for  want  of  water,  and 
lost  much  time  in  the  pursuit  of  it.  Indeed  they  almost 
despaired  of  finding  any,  as  the  earth  appeared  so  dry  as 
to  exhaust  all  the  brooks  they  had  visited.  Luckily, 
however,  about  sunset,  they  discovered  a  small  rivulet 
that  ran  near  the  skirt  of  a  forest ;  and,  although  the 
water  was  not  good,  yet  it  still  relieved  them  from  a 
dreadful  situation. 

Having  travelled  this  day  about  thirty  miles,  they  de- 
termined to  remain  where  they  were  during  the  night, 
All  hands,  therefore,  went  immediately  to  work,  for  the 
purpose  of  getting  fuel.  They  had  seen  no  wild  ani- 
mals in  the  course  of  the  day,  but  frequently  observed 
the  dung  of  the  elephant  and  the  rhinoceros. 

As  their  situation  for  this  night  was  as  dangerous  and 
deplorable  as  on  the  preceding  one,  they  determined  to 
enlarge  their  fires,  as  the  only  means  of  safety  they  had 
left.  This  was  accordingly  done,  and  they. had  the 
pleasure  to  find,  when  the  day  appeared,  that  not  an  in- 
dividual was  missing  of  the  whole  party. 

They  proceeded  on  their  journey  shortly  after  sun- 
rise ;  and,  as  they  were  to  travel  through  a  wood  of  con- 
siderable extent,  the  guides  told  them  to  be  upon  their 
guard,  as  they  would  certainly  be  interrupted  by  wild 
animals,  which  resorted  to  that  place  in  prodigious  num- 
bers. They  determined,  notwithstanding,  to  brave  all 
dangers,  and  accordingly  proceeded.  They  indeed  es- 
caped the  lions,  the  panthers,  the  rhinoceros,  the  ele- 
phant, &c.  but,  unfortunately,  about  noon,  came  up  with 
a  horde  of  Caffres,  that  were  distinguished  by  their  own 
countrymen  as  a  bad  tribe.  They  spoke  at  first  to  some 
Caffre  women,  who  behaved  kindly,  and  gave  them 
one  or  two  baskets  of  milk.  These  baskets  are  made 
of  twigs,  wove  so  closely  together  as  to  hold  water, 


76  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

Having  proceeded  but  a  short  way,  after  receiving  this 
instance  of  female  liberality,  they  were  stopped  by  twelve 
Caffre  men,  armed  with  spears,  and  clothed  in  leopard- 
skins.  Their  guides,  alarmed  at  the  appearance  of  these 
savages,  flew  to  the  banks  of  the  great  Fish  river,  which 
at  that  time  was  not  more  than  two  hundred  yards  from 
the  place  where  they  stood.  They  repeatedly  called  on 
them  to  return,  but  in  vain ;  they  immediately  crossed 
the  bed  of  the  river,  which  was  dry,  and  having  reached 
the  opposite  shore,  ascended  an  adjoining  mountain  with 
the  utmost  precipitation.  The  savages  brandished  their 
spears,  and  appeared  by  their  gestures  to  menace  the 
destruction  of  the  people.  They  could  not  understand 
them,  but  supposed  they  demanded  from  them  whatever 
articles  they  possessed ;  and  as  these  principally  consist- 
ed of  the  iittle  stock  of  provisions  they  had  left,  and  their 
clothes,  they  determined  not  to  part  with  either. 

One  of  the  captain's  people  had  a  knife,  which  was 
slung  over  his  shoulder.  A  Caffre  perceiving  it,  made 
a  snatch  at  the  handle ;  but  the  owner  resisting  it,  he 
lost  his  hold.  This  so  enraged  the  savage,  that  he  lifted 
up  his  assagay  with  an  apparent  intention  of  despatching 
the  object  of  his  resentment.  At  the  moment  he  stood 
in  this  attitude,  a  more  finished  picture  of  horror,  or  what 
may  be  conceived  of  the  infernals,  was  perhaps  never 
seen  before.  The  savage  wore  a  leopard's  skin;  his 
black  countenance  bedaubed  with  red  ochre;  his  eyes, 
inflamed  with  rage,  appeared  as  if  starting  from  their 
sockets ;  his  mouth  expanded,  and  his  teeth  gnashing 
and  grinning  with  all  the  fury  of  an  exasperated  demon. 
He  was,  however,  diverted  from  his  purpose,  and  drop- 
ped the  assagay. 

The  crew 'instantly  proceeded  to  the  river,  and  cross- 
ed it  in  pursuit  of  their  guides,  who  were  standing  on 
the  summit  of  the  mountain ;  when  they  came  up,  the 
guides  expressed  the  utmost  satisfaction  at  their  escape. 
They  gave  them  a  terrible  description  of  the  people  they 
had  just  left,  and  assured  them,  if  the  remainder  of  their 
horde  had  not  been  hunting  at  the  time  they  got  to  the 
Fish  river,  not  a  man  of  them  would  have  survived, 


LOSS   OF   THE   AMERICAN   SHIP    HERCULES.  77 

They  also  declared,  that  they  were  the  most  abominable 
horde  throughout  the  whole  of  Caffraria. 

Their  conversation  lasted  but  a  few  minutes,  when 
they  resolved  to  descend  the  mountain,  and  pursue  their 
journey.  Scarcely  had  they  put  themselves  in  motion, 
when  a  scene  of  the  most  extensive  and  luxuriant  beau- 
ties burst  in  a  moment  on  their  view.  The  danger  they 
had  just  escaped  engaged  their  attention  so  entirely, 
when  they  gained  the  summit,  that  they  did  not  im- 
mediately perceive  the  world  of  beauties  that  now  lay 
spread  before  them.  All  stood  for  some  time  in  a  state 
of  rapture  and  amazement.  The  country  was  mostly 
a  level,  yet  pleasingly  diversified  with  gentle  elevations, 
on  the  tops  of  which  they  could  perceive  clumps  of  the 
mimosa  tree,  and  the  sides  clothed  with  shrubs  of  vari- 
ous denominations.  A  thousand  rivulets  seemed  to  mean- 
der through  this  second  Eden;  frequently  skirting  or 
appearing  to  encircle  a  plantation  of  wood;  then  sud- 
denly taking  a  different  direction,  glided  through  a  plain 
of  considerable  extent,  until  it  came  to  a  gentle  declivi- 
ty ;  here  it  formed  a  natural  cascade,  and  then,  follow- 
ing its  course,  proceeded  in  an  endless  variety  through- 
out the  whole  of  the  country. 

As  they  stood  gazing  on  this  sylvan  scene,  they  per- 
ceived innumerable  herds  of  animals,  particularly  of  the 
species  of  the  gazelle,  scouring  over  the  plains;  some 
darting  through  the  woods,  others  feeding,  or  drinking  at 
the  rivulets.  As  far  as  the  eye  travelled  in  pursuit  of 
new  beauties,  it  was  most  amply  gratified,  until  at  length 
the  whole  gradually  faded  on  the  view,  and  became  lost 
on  the  horizon.  They  were  so  wrapt  in  ecstasy  in  con- 
templating this  landscape,  that  they  forgot  their  danger, 
and  remained  too  long  upon  the  mountain.  They  at 
length  descended  and  proceeded  on  their  journey. 

Before  the  day  closed  they  fixed  on  a  place  where 
they  were  to  remain  until  the  morning.  It  was  near  a 
wood,  mostly  composed  of  that  kind  of  thorn  already 
mentioned.  Several  of  these  they  immediately  cut,  not 
only  for  the  purpose  of  fuel,  but  to  form  a  barricade  of 
defence  against  the  wild  animals  during  the  night. 
7* 


78  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

After  completing  their  fortification,  lighting  the  fires, 
and  supping  in  the  best  manner  possible,  they  lay  down 
to  rest ;  but  their  sleep  was  constantly  disturbed  during 
the  night  by  a  herd  of  elephants  brushing  through  the 
wood,  passing  and  returning  almost  every  moment.  Had 
not  the  fence  been  erected  the  preceding  evening,  they 
would  in  all  probability  have  been  trampled  to  death  by 
these  monstrous  animals.  They  had  the  good  fortune 
however  to  escape ;  and,  about  seven  the  next  morning, 
proceeded  on  their  journey,  in  company  with  the  guides. 

They  travelled  this  day  through  a  delightful  country. 
The  land,  in  some  places,  seemed  to  be  composed  of  a 
red  and  yellow  clay,  and  the  valleys  appeared  covered 
with  a  very  thick  and  long  grass,  but  not  a  sign  of  agri- 
culture was  to  be  observed.  In  the  course  of  the  day 
they  perceived  a  few  deserted  huts,  one  of  which  they 
entered,  but  paid  severely  for  their  curiosity,  as  those 
who  ventured  in  were  in  a  moment  entirely  covered 
with  fleas. 

Water  was  found  sometimes,  but  it  was  brackish,  al- 
though they  were  at  least  fifty  miles  from  the  sea.  They 
kept  at  this  distance  during  most  of  the  journey. 

They  brought  up  for  the  night,  after  travelling  about 
thirty-five  miles,  at  the  skirt  of  a  small  forest,  and  pro- 
vided fuel,  with  a  temporary  defence,  as  before.  The 
provisions  being  nearly  exhausted,  they  were  obliged  to 
eat  sparingly,  although  most  of  them  were  ravenously 
hungry. 

About  seven  in  the  morning  they  again  set  out ;  but 
many  of  the  people  dropped  astern  in  the  course  of  the 
day,  being  almost  worn  out  with  fatigue.  In  this  situa- 
tion it  was  thought  advisable  for  such  of  the  party  as 
could  travel  to  get  forward,  and  provide  a  place  where 
wood  and  water  could  be  had.  The  captain  was  of  this 
company ;  and  that  all  those  who  remained  behind 
might  find  their  way,  he  ordered  the  CarTre  guides  to  set 
fire  to  the  long  grass,  which  served  during  the  night  as 
a  point  of  direction.  He  was  likewise  in  expectation  of 
their  coming  up  before  morning,  but  was  sadly  disap- 
pointed. They  remained  stationary  until  the  sun  ap- 
peared, and  then  went  on. 


LOSS  OF  THE  AMERICAN  SHIP  HERCULES.  79 

Not  one  of  the  people  left  behind  appeared  this  morn- 
ing ;  but  the  guides  were  of  opinion  they  would  reach  a 
Christian  settlement  in  the  course  of  the  day,  where  as- 
sistance would  certainly  be  had.  This  intelligence  gave 
them  new  spirits ;  and  they  travelled  with  unusual  alert- 
ness until  they  came  to  a  farm-house.  Here  relief  was 
expected,  but  none  was  to  be  found :  the  whole  place 
had  been  deserted  for  some  time;  they  were  obliged, 
therefore,  to  •  sleep  again  in  the  air,  and  leave  their 
absent  and  miserable  companions  to  all  the  horrors  of 
the  desert. 

This  was  not  a  night  of  sleep,  but  lamentation.  They 
sat  round  the  fire,  and  spoke  of  nothing  but  their  absent 
messmates,  and  their  unfortunate  situation.  They  were 
left  defenceless,  without  food,  hardly  able  to  stand  erect, 
and  in  a  country  where  the  ferocious  animals  were  most 
numerous.  They  were  likewise  every  hour  in  danger  of 
an  attack  from  the  Boshis-men,  who  swarm  in  these  parts, 
and  destroy  the  unhappy  objects  of  their  vengeance  with 
arrows  that  are  poisoned.  The  sensibility  of  the  people 
on  this  melancholy  occasion  displayed  the  genuine  cha- 
racter of  a  sailor.  Men  who  could  brave  all  the  dangers 
of  the  tempest,  and  face  death  without  a  trembling 
nerve,  even  in  the  cannon's  mouth,  could  not,  however, 
speak  of  their  distressed  and  absent  brethren  without  a 
tear.  Their  own  misfortunes  were  forgotten,  and  their 
only  consideration,  during  the  night,  was  their  unhappy 
messmates,  whom  they  never  expected  to  behold  again. 

They  remained  here  for  more  than  an  hour  after  the 
rising  of  the  sun.  Out  of  sixty,  that  composed  the  party 
when  they  departed  from  the  beach,  thirty-six  were  so 
maimed  and  worn  down  by  fatigue  as  to  be  unable  to 
travel :  these  remained  in  the  desert,  if  not  already  de- 
stroyed, and  had  no  hope  of  preservation  but  by  the 
exertions  of  the  party  who  were  able  to  proceed.  The 
guides  were  now  certain  that  a  Christian  habitation  was 
at  hand.  The  last  they  saw  had  been  destroyed  by  the 
CarTres  in  the  war  with  the  colonists :  it  was  therefore 
determined  to  proceed  to  a  place  where  relief  could  be 
obtained,  with  every  possible  despatch.  The  people 


80  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

proceeded  with  redoubled  energy ;  the  salvation  of  their 
companions  was  the  incentive,  and  that  consideration 
banished  every  idea  of  danger  or  fatigue. 

They  travelled  without  a  single  halt  for  about  three 
hours,  when  one  of  the  guides,  who  was  advanced, 
roared  out,  in  a  transport  of  joy,  "I  see  a  Hottentot, 
attending  a  flock  of  sheep."  It  was  the  voice  of  a  seraph 
proceeding  from  a  Caffre.  They  all  ran  to  the  place 
where  he  stood,  and,  at  a  considerable  distance,  observed 
a  man  attending  a  flock  of  at  least  four  thousand.  They 
moved  in  a  body  towards  the  shepherd,  who  seemed  at 
first  to  be  alarmed;  but  perceiving  that  they  were  mostly 
whites,  and  unarmed,  he  stopped  until  they  came  up. 
The  captain  requested  of  him  to  direct  them  the  nearest 
way  to  the  first  settlement,  which  he  did,  and  at  the 
same  time  informed  us  the  proprietor  was  a  good  man; 
the  distance,  he  said,  was  about  three  miles.  The  plea- 
sure diffused  through  the  party,  on  receiving  this  infor- 
mation, it  is  impossible  to  describe.  The  captain  em- 
braced this  opportunity,  and  went  on;  a  general  joy 
succeeded,  and  who  should  be  foremost  was  the  princi- 
pal consideration. 

At  length — ecstatic  reflection ! — they  came  within  sight 
of  a  Christian  farm.  "Come  on,  my  lads,"  said  the 
captain,  "we  are  safely  moored  at  last;  and  our  people 
in  the  deserts  will  be  soon  relieved."  Some  tottered  as 
they  stood,  overcome  with  joy,  and  could  not  move; 
others  appeared  as  in  a  trance,  until  at  length  about  ten 
followed  him,  and  they  entered  the  house  of  Jan  du 
Pliesies. 

Fortunately,  this  was  a  settler  of  the  best  order,  about 
sixty  years  old,  bom  in  Holland,  but  who  had  resided  in 
Africa  for  many  years ;  humane,  generous,  and  possess- 
ing a  heart  that  appeared  to  be  the  constant  mansion  of 
a  virtuous  sympathy.  His  cottage  was  formed  of  clay, 
thatched  with  a  kind  of  reed,  and  furnished  with  a  few 
stools,  a  table,  and  some  kitchen  utensils.  His  family 
consisted  of  five  or  six  sons,  their  wives  and  children, 
together  with  a  daughter,  making  together  about  twen- 
ty people.  His  stock,  however,  was  considerable,  not 


LOSS  OF  THE  AMERICAN  SHIP  HERCULES.  81 

i 

less  than  twelve  thousand  sheep,  and  one  thousand 
oxen. 

After  the  alarm  which  their  first  appearance  occa- 
sioned had  subsided,  the  captain  told  the  story  of  their 
melancholy  disaster,  and  implored  his  assistance  for  the 
relief  of  the  unhappy  people  who  were  left  behind. 
This  good  man  could  not  listen  to  the  relation  without 
discovering  by  his  countenance  the  tenderness  of  his 
nature.  His  face,  which  was  naturally  pallid,  became 
at  certain  intervals  of  a  crimson  hue :  these  emotions 
appeared  as  the  effervescence  of  sensibility,  and  to  exhi- 
bit, in  glowing  colors,  the  complexion  of  virtue. 

As  no  time,  he  said,  should  be  lost  in  preparing  for 
the  relief  of  the  unfortunate  people,  he  immediately  di- 
rected two  of  his  sons  to  harness  eight  oxen  to  a  wagon, 
His  orders  were  obeyed  with  a  cheerfulness  that  evinced 
an  hereditary  goodness,  and  that  it  had  descended,  un- 
impaired, from  the  sire  to  his  children.  They  were  di- 
rected to  travel  all  night ;  and  the  guides  described  the 
spot  so  minutely  as  to  avoid  all  possibility  of  a  mistake. 
The  wagon  was  soon  out  of  sight,  and  they  all  sat  down 
to  partake  of  a  sheep,  which  our  liberal  host  had  ordered 
to  be  killed  for  their  entertainment 

When  the  meal  was  over,  the  worthy  colonist  began 
to  interrogate  them  respecting  their  journey  through 
Crffraria.  He  could  not  possibly  conceive,  he  said,  how 
the  Tambochis  could  be  induced  to  suffer  their  depar- 
ture. They  were  such  a  horrid  race,  that  nothing  was 
so  gratifying  to  their  nature  as  the  shedding  of  human 
blood.  The  Boshis-men,  he  also  observed,  were  so  nu- 
merous, and  so  perpetually  on  the  look-out,  that  he  was 
amazed  at  their  travelling  with  any  degree  of  security ; 
but  when  he  considered  that  they  came  through  a  part  of 
Caffraria  so  infested  with  carnivorous  animals  that  peo- 
ple could  never  travel  safely  but  in  parties,  and  well 
armed,  he  declared  their  being  then  in  his  house  ap- 
peared to  him  a  kind  of  miracle. 

The  captain  took  this  opportunity  of  giving  our  wor- 
thy host  a  proper  idea  of  the  Tambochis.  His  mind  had 
been  poisoned  by  some  of  his  depredating  neighbors,  and 


82  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

never  going  on  such  parties  himself,  he  had  entertained 
these  prejudices  without  having  an  opportunity  of  know- 
ing the  contrary.  He  appeared  much  pleased  at  the 
conduct  of  the  Tambochis  during  our  abode  in  their 
country,  and  declared  this  circumstance  alone  would 
relieve  him  from  many  hours  of  uneasiness. 
j  His  sequestered  mansion  was  nearly  surrounded  by 
trees,  on  which  were  hung  to  dry  the  skins  of  lions,  ti- 
gers, panthers,  and  other  destructive  animals  killed  i'n 
the  vicinity  of  his  own  habitation.  The  carcasses  of 
two  enormous  creatures  were  observed  lying  near  the 
door,  which  had  the  appearance  of  being  recently  de- 
stroyed. They  were  two  rhinoceroses  that  the  farmer's 
sons  had  killed,  but  the  day  before,  on  their  own  land. 
This  gave  rise  to  a  narrative  respecting  these  animals, 
which  the  good  man  related  with  great  circumspection, 
and  which  appeared  very  extraordinary. 

"These  creatures,"  said  the  farmer,  "are  more  sa- 
vage, and  infinitely  more  to  be  dreaded,  than  any  other 
animal  of  the  deserts.  Even  the  lion,  when  he  perceives 
a  rhinoceros,  will  fly  from  him  in  an  instant.  I  had  a 
proof  of  this,"  said  he,  "about  two  years  ago.  As  I  was 
traversing  my  lands  in  the  morning,  I  perceived  a  lion 
entering  a  thicket,  about  the  distance  of  half  a  mile  from 
the  place  where  I  stood.  In  a  few  minutes  after  I  ob- 
served a  second,  then  a  third,  and  a  fourth  came ;  they 
seemed  to  follow  one  another  at  their  leisure,  and,  in  less 
than  an  hour,  I  counted  nine  that  entered  the  same  wood. 
Never  having  seen  so  many  of  the  same  species  together, 
I  was  desirous  to  know  the  event  of  their  meeting,  and  I 
concealed  myself  for  the  purpose.  After  waiting  for 
rather  more  than  an  hour  in  my  lurking  place,  without 
either  seeing  any  of  them  or  hearing  any  noise  from  the 
quarter  where  they  lay,  I  began  to  despair  of  having  my 
curiosity  in  the  least  gratified.  At  length  I  perceived  a 
rhinoceros  of  uncommon  magnitude  approach  the  wood. 
He  stood  motionless  for  about  five  minutes  when  he  ar- 
rived at  a  small  distance  from  the  thicket,  then  tossed 
up  his  nose,  and  at  last  scented  the  animals  that  lay  con- 
cealed. In  an  instant  I  saw  him  dart  into  the  wood,  and 


LOSS  OF  THE  AMERICAN  SHI?  HERCULES.  83 

m  the  space  of  about  five  minutes  afterwards  I  observed 
all  the  lions  scamper  away  in  different  directions,  and 
apparently  in  the  greatest  consternation.  The  rhinoceros 
beat  about  the  wood  in  pursuit  of  his  enemies  for  a  con- 
siderable time ;  but  not  finding  any,  he  broke  covert  at 
last  and  appeared  on  the  plain.  He  then  looked  around 
him,  enraged  at  his  disappointment,  began  tearing  up  the 
earth,  and  discovered  every  sign  of  madness  and  despe- 
ration. I  remained  quietly  in  my  retreat  until  the  ani- 
mal disappeared,  and  then  returned  to  my  house." 

The  travellers  slept  this  night  on  sacks,  which  their 
host  had  arranged  for  their  accommodation.  At  break- 
fast on  the  succeeding  morning,  their  benefactor  enter- 
tained them  with  some  very  interesting  observations 
respecting  the  country  where  he  resided.  He  particular- 
ly stated  the  hardships  which  the  colonists  endured  from 
the  restrictive  orders  and  persecuting  conduct  of  the  go- 
vernment at  the  Cape.  "  I  have  lead  ore,"  said  he,  "  on 
my  own  farm,  so  near  the  surface  that  we  can  scrape  it 
up  with  our  hands,  and  yet  we  dare  not  touch  it."  If  we 
were  known  to  melt  and  use  a  single  pound  of  it,  we 
should  all  be  transported,  for  life,  to  Batavia." 

Before  they  had  finished  their  meal,  their  benefactor 
despatched  messengers  to  his  neighboring  friends,  de- 
siring their  assistance  to  get  the  crew  to  the  Cape.  Se- 
veral of  them  came  and  behaved  with  the  greatest  ten- 
derness and  liberality.  They  went  so  far  as  to  say,  that 
such  as  were  desirous  of  remaining  in  the  country  till 
they  were  perfectly  recovered,  should  be  accommodated 
at  their  houses ;  and  as  they  travelled  once  in  every  year 
to  the  Cape,  they  would  take  the  first  opportunity  of 
conveying  them  thither.  The  captain  thanked  them  for 
their  kindness,  but  declined  accepting  their  proposal,  as 
his  intention  was  to  make  the  Cape  with  every  possible 
expedition. 

This  conversation  was  interrupted  by  a  Hottentot  ser- 
vant who  ran  into  the  house  and  declared  the  "  wagon 
was  in  sight."  All  flew  to  meet  it,  and  the  captain  had 
the  heart-felt  consolation  of  perceiving  twenty-three 
of  his  unfortunate  people,  chiefly  lascars,  lying  down 


84  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

in  the  machine.  On  their  arrival,  the  two  sons  of  Pliesles 
said  they  found  them  near  a  wood,  perfectly  resigned  to 
their  fate,  having  given  up  all  hopes  of  relief.  The  pre- 
ceding thirteen  of  their  companions  had  separated  from 
them ;  but  where  they  had  strayed  to  not  one  of  them 
could  even  guess  at.  These  poor  fellows,  after  enduring 
for  a  long  time  the  most  unexampled  miseries,  all  arrived 
>in  safety  at  the  Cape. 

They  were  now  forty-seven  in  number,  and  as  they 
were  to  proceed  in  wagons,  such  as  were  afflicted  with 
sore  feet,  or  weak,  through  hunger  and  fatigue,  would 
not  again  be  separated  from  their  companions. 

Their  benevolent  host  now  provided  them  with  a  wa- 
gon and  two  sets  of  oxen,  each  set  containing  eight. 
They  were  occasionally  to  relieve  each  other  on  the 
way,  and  two  or  three  Hottentot  servants  were  appointed 
as  drivers,  and  to  take  charge  of  the  relaying  cattle. 
One  of  the  farmer's  sons,  completely  armed,  was  likewise 
directed  to  attend  them,  and  the  wagon  was  stored  with 
provisions  and  water  sufficient  for  them  until  they  should 
arrive  at  the  next  settlement. 

They  took  their  departure  from  the  hospitable  mansion 
of  the  benevolent  Du  Pliesies  on  the  morning  of  the  2d  of 
July.  The  guard  was  perpetually  on  the  watch,  lest  the 
Boshis-men  or  the  wild  animals  might  dart  upon  them 
unperceived.  About  eight  o'clock  in  the  evening,  how- 
ever, they  reached  the  second  farm  in  perfect  security. 
The  distance  travelled  was  about  thirty-five  miles  this 
day,  and  all  the  people  in  good  spirits. 

The  owner,  whose  name  was  Cornelius  Englebrock, 
they  found  also  a  benevolent  character.  His  cottage 
was  poor  indeed,  but  all  that  he  could  afford  he  gave 
with  cheerfulness.  His  neighbor's  letter  was  produced, 
which  he  read  with  great  attention,  and  then  said,  "  My 
friend  is  a  good  man,  and  I  always  valued  him ;  but  you 
wanted  no  other  recommendation  to  my  poor  services 
than  your  misfortunes." 

They  remained  here  during  the  night,  after  partaking 
of  a  frugal  repast  which  their  host  had  provided,  and 
which  was  given  with  many  innocent  apologies  for  its 
scantiness. 


LOSS  OF  THE  AMERICAN  SHIP  HERCULES.    ,  85 

Before  their  departure  on  the  ensuing  morning,  the 
farmer  generously  presented  them  with  nine  sheep.  The 
poor  man  lamented  that  he  could  not  let  them  have  a 
morsel  of  bread.  "We  live,  (said  he,)  the  year  round 
chiefly  on  mutton  and  game,  but  seldom  enjoy  the  luxury 
of  a  loaf."  He  insisted,  however,  on  the  captain's  taking 
the  sheep,  which  he  accepted  with  many  thanks,  and 
they  then  departed  on  their  journey. 

During  the  four  or  five  succeeding  days,  they  travelled 
on  from  house  to  house,  generally  at  fifteen  or  sixteen 
miles'  distance  from  each  other,  and  were  received  at  all 
of  them  with  a  disinterested  hospitality.  These  occur- 
rences are  related  with  a  scrupulous  attention  to  fidelity, 
because  the  colonists,  without  distinction,  have  been  fre- 
quently represented  as  a  ferocious  banditti,  scarcely  to 
be  kept  within  the  pale  of  authority. 

During  several  days'  travelling  they  could  get  but  little 
bread,  and  not  much  water.  The  countries  were  alter- 
nately hill  and  dale,  and  often  afforded  the  most  romantic 
prospects.  They  frequently  perceived  vast  quantities  of 
wolves,  and  such  droves  of  that  species  of  deer  which 
the  farmers  call  spring-buck,  that  one  flock  alone  could 
not  contain  less  than  from  twelve  to  fourteen  thousand. 
Indeed  many  of  the  settlers  said  they  had  seen  double  that 
number  at  one  time,  and  frequently  killed  three  at  a  sin- 
gle shot.  Our  travellers  likewise  saw  vast  quantities  of 
guinea-fowl,  which  after  a  shower  of  rain  are  easily 
caught  by  the  farmers'  dogs. 

The  zebra,  or  wild  ass,  is  common  in  these  advanced 
colonies,  and  many  of  them  were  seen.  Ostriches  were 
likewise  very  numerous.  They  had  such  plenty  of  veni- 
son at  the  houses  where  they  stopped,  that  their  stock  of 
nine  sheep,  furnished  by  honest  Englebrock,  was  dimi- 
nished but  three  in  the  course  of  six  days. 

From  the  8th  to  the  14th  of  July,  their  journey  was 
not  interrupted  by  any  disagreeable  occurrence.  The 
countries  through  which  they  passed  displayed  at  every 
mile  a  new  change  of  beauties.  The  mountains  were  in 
many  places  of  stupendous  height,  and  the  valleys,  deco- 
rated with  wood,  were  astonishingly  fertile  in  vegetable 
8 


86  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

productions.  One  of  the  most  extensive  of  these  valleys 
took  them  no  less  than  three  days  and  a  half  in  passing. 
It  is  called  by  the  settlers  Long  Cluff,  and  affords,  per- 
haps, as  many  romantic  scenes  as  can  be  found  in  any 
spot  of  the  same  extent  on  the  face  of  the  earth. 

The  hills,  for  seventy  or  eighty  miles,  run  parallel  to 
each  other.  The  lands  between  are  wonderfully  rich, 
and  produce  vast  quantities  of  a  plant  similar  in  its  taste 
and  smell  to  our  thyme.  On  this  fragrant  herb  are  fed 
immense  quantities  of  sheep  and  cattle ;  they  devour  it 
with  great  eagerness,  and  it  gives  the  mutton  a  flavor  so 
like  our  venison,  that  an  epicure  might  be  deceived  in 
the  taste.  The  valleys  are  generally  level,  from  four  to 
eight  miles  in  breadth,  and  in  several  places  intersected 
with  rivulets,  on  the  borders  of  which  are  frequently 
perceived  whole  groves  of  the  aloe-tree. 

On  or  about  the  14th,  they  reached  the  settlement  of 
an  old  and  blind  man.  He  had  a  large  family,  and  ap- 
peared to  possess  a  comfortable  independence.  When  he 
heard  the  story  of  the  travellers,  the  good  farmer  burst  into 
tears,  and  ordered  a  glass  of  brandy  to  be  given  to  each 
of  the  crew.  After  this  unusual  and  cheering  repast,  he 
directed  some  mutton  to  be  delivered  to  the  people,  and  ' 
gave  them  a  pot  to  dress  it  in.  He  then  requested  the 
captain  to  mess  with  the  family,  which  was  complied 
with,  and  when  supper  was  ended,  this  worthy  creature 
said  he  was  so  pleased  with  their  escaping  the  dangers 
of  the  seas,  and  the  Caffres,  that  he  would  celebrate  the 
meeting  with  a  song.  He  immediately  began  and  sung 
with  the  voice  of  a  Stentor.  A  general  plaudit  succeed- 
ed ;  and  then  the  honest  benefactor  said,  "  Now,  captain, 
I  have  a  favor  to  ask  of  you.  Pray,  desire  all  your  peo- 
ple to  sing."  It  was  impossible  to  help  laughing  at  this 
whimsical  request ;  but  it  was  thought  good-humor,  at 
such  a  moment,  should  not  be  interrupted ;  therefore  an 
American  sailor  was  desired  to  sing  one  of  his  best  songs. 
He  no  sooner  began  than  all  the  lascars  tuned  their 
pipes ;  this  set  agoing  the  Swedes,  Portuguese,  and 
Dutchmen,  and  all  the  crew ;  each  party  sung  in  their 
different  languages,  and  at  the  same  time.  Such  a  con- 


LOSS  OF  THE  AMERICAN  SHIP  HERCULES.  87 

cert  was  never  heard  before ;  the  liberal  and  merry  dd 
colonist  was  so  entertained  with  their  music,  that  he  had 
nearly  dropped  from  his  chair  in  a  fit  of  laughter. 

The  captain  was  provided  this  night  with  a  sheep- 
skin, on  which  he  rested  under  the  roof  of  the  farmer's 
cottage ;  but  there  was  not  room  for  all,  and  therefore 
most  of  the  poor  fellows  were  obliged  to  sleep  in  the  air. 
A  similar  inconvenience  had  happened  so  frequently 
since  they  reached  the  colonies,  that  they  determined  to 
separate. 

On  the  morning  of  the  17th  they  separated,  and  the 
captain  took  with  him  his  chief  and  third  mate,  together 
with  one  or  two  more,  who  were  solicitous  to  accompany 
him.  The  country,  as  they  advanced,  increased  in  po- 
pulation ;  and  the  farm-houses  were,  in  several  places, 
not  more  than  two  miles'  distance  from  each  other.  Ma- 
ny of  them  Avere  beautifully  situated,  and  the  lands  pro- 
duced grain,  oranges,  figs,  and  lemons  in  abundance. 
Their  grapes  likewise  appeared  to  flourish,  and  supplied 
them  with  wine  and  brandies,  which  they  vended  chiefly 
at  the  Cape.  Vast  herds  of  deer,  and  partridges  out  of 
all  number,  were  seen,  and  immense  tracts  of  land  co- 
vered entirely  with  aloe-trees. 

From  the  17th  to  the  21st,  they  travelled  a  mountain- 
ous country ;  but  the  valleys  constantly  presented  farms 
and  habitations  where  the  industry  of  the  husbandman 
was  amply  rewarded.  The  flocks  of  sheep  were  prodi- 
gious ;  but  the  cattle  were  not  so  numerous,  nor  in  such 
good  condition,  as  those  seen  in  the  more  advanced 
colonies. 

On  the  22d  they  arrived  at  Zwellingdam,  and  pro- 
ceeded to  the  landorse-house.  The  landorse  is  the  chief 
man  of  the  place,  and  his  settlement  consists  of  about 
sixteen  or  eighteen  houses,  surrounded  by  a  delightful 
country,  and  producing  grain,  vegetables  for  culinary 
purposes,  grapes,  and  fruits  of  almost  every  description. 

This  gentleman  gave  them  a  very  hospitable  reception, 
and  the  next  morning  furnished  the  captain  with  a  horse 
and  guide,  to  conduct  him  to  his  brother-in-law's.  That 
nothing  might  be  omitted  on  his  part  to  secure  a  favora- 


88  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

^ 

ble  reception  at  the  Cape,  the  captain's  worthy  host  gave 
them  a  very  kind  letter  to  his  friend  general  Craig,  com- 
mander in  chief,  acquainting  him  with  the  loss  of  the 
ship,  and  the  miseries  endured  by  the  crew  in  their 
travels  through  the  desert.  He  also  requested  the  gene- 
ral would  do  them  every  kindness  in  his  power,  which 
he  would  acknowledge  as  an  obligation  conferred  upon 
himself. 

They  arrived  at  the  settlement  of  Johannes  Brinch, 
at  Stallen  Bush,  on  the  third  or  fourth  day,  after  travel- 
ling a  country  highly  cultivated,  and  producing  immense 
forests  of  the  aloe-tree.  The  farmers  live  here  in  afflu- 
ence, and  the  crew  continued  to  experience  the  most 
liberal  and  kind  attention  during  the  remainder  of  their 
journey. 

On  their  arrival  at  Stallen  Bush,  the  captain  waited  on 
Mr.  Brinch,  whose  reception  can  never  be  mentioned  but 
in  terms  of  the  most  fervent  gratitude  and  esteem.  His 
residence  is  one  of  those  delightful  places  which,  from  its 
natural  situation  and  fertility,  wraps  the  beholder,  the 
moment  he  sees  it,  in  a  kind  of  ecstasy.  The  vines 
there  are  reared  with  great  attention,  and  are  highly 
productive.  Grain,  vegetation,  and  fruits,  yield  abundant 
crops ;  and  camphor- trees  of  very  large  dimensions  thrive 
also  in  the  settlement.  Indeed,  the  whole  settlement 
seemed  to  be  so  precisely  what  it  should  be,  that  any  al- 
teration must  be  a  deformity.  The  people  here  dress  well, 
but  nearer  the  English  than  the  Dutch  style.  They  have 
nothing  of  that  sullen  taciturnity  belonging  to  the  charac- 
ter of  the  Hollander,  but  are  sprightly  and  good-humored. 

"  I  remained  two  days  (says  the  captain)  under  the 
roof  of  this  liberal  and  benevolent  gentleman.  He 
pressed  me  to  stay  longer ;  but  I  was  desirous  of  reach- 
ing the  Cape,  and  therefore  declined  his  hospitable  invi- 
tation. In  the  morning,  therefore,  he  provided  me  with 
a  horse  and  guide,  and  I  took  my  departure  from  Stallen 
Bush,  on  the  30th,  in  the  morning.  Our  journey  was 
but  short,  as  we  arrived  the  same  evening  at  the  Cape 
of  Good  Hope ;  and  although  emaciated  in  my  frame 
yet  in  tolerable  health." 


LOSS  OF  HIS  MAJESTY'S  SHIP  LITCHFIELD, 
Of  Fifty  Guns,  on  the  Coast  of  Barbary,  Nov.  30,  1758. 

THE  Litchfield,  captain  Barton,  left  Ireland  on  the 
llth  of  November,  1758,  in  company  with  several  other 
men-of-war  and  transports,  under  the  command  of  com- 
modore Keppel,  intended  for  the  reduction  of  Goree. 
The  voyage  was  prosperous  till  the  29th,  when  at  eight 
in  the  evening  I  took  charge  of  the  watch,  and  the 
weather  turned  out  very  squally,  with  rain.  At  nine  it 
was  extremely  dark,  with  much  lightning,  the  wind  va- 
rying from  S.  W.  to  W.  N.  W.  At  half  past  nine,  had  a 
very  hard  squall.  Captain  Barton  came  upon  deck  and 
staid  till  ten ;  and  then  left  orders  to  keep  sight  of  the 
commodore,  and  make  what  sail  the  weather  would  per- 
mit. At  eleven  saw  the  commodore  bearing  south,  but 
the  squalls  coming  on  so  heavy,  we  were  obliged  to  hand 
the  main  top-sail,  and  at  twelve  o'clock  were  under  our 
Courses. 

November  30th,  at  one  in  the  morning,  I  left  the  deck 
in  charge  of  the  first  lieutenant ;  the  light,  which  we  took 
to  be  the  commodore's,  right  ahead,  bearing  S.,  wind 
W.  S.  W.,  blowing  very  hard.  At  six  in  the  morning  I 
was  awaked  by  a  great  shock,  and  a  confused  noise 
of  the  men  on  deck.  I  ran  up,  thinking  some  ship  had 
run  foul  of  us,  for  by  my  own  reckoning,  and  that  of 
every  other  person  in  the  ship,  we  were  at  least  thirty- 
five  leagues  distant  from  land ;  but,  before  I  could  reach 
the  quarter-deck,  the  ship  gave  a  great  stroke  upon  the 
ground,  and  the  sea  broke  over  her.  Just  after  this  I 
could  perceive  the  land,  rocky,  rugged  and  uneven,  about 
two  cables'  length  from  us.  The  ship  lying  with  her 
broadside  to  windward,  the  masts  soon  went  overboard, 


90  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS, 

carrying  some  men  with  them.  It  is  impossible  for  any 
but  a  sufferer  to  feel  our  distress  at  this  time ;  the  masts, 
yards,  and  sails  hanging  alongside  in  a  confused  heap ; 
the  ship  beating  violently  upon  the  rocks ;  the  waves 
curling  up  to  an  incredible  height,  then  dashing  down 
with  such  force  as  if  they  would  immediately  have  split 
the  ship  to  pieces,  which  we,  indeed,  every  moment  ex- 
pected. Having  a  little  recovered  from  our  confusion, 
we  saw  it  necessary  to  get  every  thing  we  could  over  to 
the  larboard  side,  to  prevent  the  ship  from  heeling  off, 
and  exposing  the  deck  to  the  sea.  Some  of  the  people 
were  very  earnest  to  get  the  boats  out,  contrary  to  ad- 
vice ;  and,  after  much  entreaty,  notwithstanding  a  most 
terrible  sea,  one  of  the  boats  was  launched,  and  eight  of 
the  best  men  jumped  into  her ;  but  she  had  scarcely  got 
to  the  ship's  stern  when  she  was  hurled  to  the  bottom, 
and  every  soul  in  her  perished.  The  rest  of  the  boats 
were  soon  washed  to  pieces  on  the  deck.  We  then 
made  a  raft  with  the  davit,  capstan-bars,  and  some 
boards,  and  waited  with  resignation  for  Providence  to 
assist  us.  The  ship  soon  rilled  with  water,  so  that  we 
had  no  time  to  get  any  provisions  up ;  the  quarter-deck 
and  poop  were  now  the  only  places  we  could  stand  upon 
with  security,  the  waves  being  mostly  spent  by  the  time 
they  reached  us,  owing  to  their  breaking  over  the  fore 
part  of  the  ship. 

At  four  in  the  afternoon,  perceiving  the  sea  to  be  much 
abated,  one  of  our  people  attempted  to  swim,  and  gol 
safe  on  shore.  There  were  numbers  of  Moors  upon  the 
rocks  ready  to  take  hold  of  any  one,  and  beckoned  much 
for  us  to  come  ashore,  which,  at  first,  we  took  for  kind- 
ness ;  but  they  soon  undeceived  us,  for  they  had  not  the 
humanity  to  assist  any  that  was  entirely  naked,  but 
would  fly  to  those  who  had  any  thing  about  them,  and 
strip  them  before  they  were  quite  out  of  the  water, 
wrangling  among  themselves  about  the  plunder.  In  the 
mean  time  the  poor  wretches  were  left  to  crawl  up  the 
rocks  if  they  were  able,  if  not,  they  perished  unregarded. 
The  second  lieutenant  and  myself,  with  about  sixty-five 
others,  got  ashore  before  dark,  but  were  left  exposed  to 


LOSS  OF  fits  MAJESTY'S  SHIP  LITCHFIELD.  91 

the  weather  on  the  cold  sand.  To  preserve  ourselves 
from  perishing  of  cold,  we  were  obliged  to  go  down  to 
the  shore,  and  to  bring  upr-pieces  of  the  wreck  to  make  a 
fire.  While  thus  employed,  if  we  happened  to  pick  up 
a  shirt  or  handkerchief,  and  did  not  give  it  to  the  Moors 
at  the  first  demand,  the  next  thing  was  a  dagger  pre- 
sented to  our  breasts. 

They  allowed  us  a  piece  of  an  old  sail,  which-  they 
did  not  think  worth  carrying  off:  with  this  we  made 
two  tents,  and  crowded  ourselves  into  them,  sitting  be- 
tween one  another's  legs  to  preserve  warmth,  and  make 
room.  In  this  uneasy  situation,  continually  bewailing 
our  misery,  and  that  of  our  poor  shipmates  on  the  wreck, 
we  passed  a  most  tedious  night,  without  so  much  as  a 
drop  of  water  to  refresh  ourselves,  excepting  what  we 
caught  through  our  sail-cloth  covering. 

November  30th,  at  six  in  the  morning,  went  down 
with  a  number  of  our  men  upon  the  rocks,  to  assist  our 
shipmates  in  coming  ashore,  and  found  the  ship  had  been 
greatly  shattered  in  the  night.  It  being  now  low  water, 
many  attempted  to  swim  ashore;  some  arrived,  but 
others  perished.  The  people  on  board  got  the  raft  into 
the  water,  and  about  fifteen  men  placed  themselves  upon 
it.  They  had  no  sooner  put  off  from  the  wreck  than  it 
overturned ;  most  of  them  recovered  again,  but  scarcely 
were  they  on,  before  it  was  a  second  time  overturned. 
Only  three  or  four  got  hold  of  it  again,  and  all  the  rest 
perished.  In  the  mean  time,  a  good  swimmer  brought 
with  much  difficulty  a  rope,  which  I  had  the  good  for- 
tune to  catch  hold  of,  just  when  he  was  quite  spent,  and 
had  thoughts  of  quitting  it.  Some  people  coming  to  my 
assistance,  we  pulled  a  large  rope  ashore  with  that,  aryl 
made  it  fast  round  a  rock.  We  found  this  gave  great 
spirits  to  the  poor  souls  upon  the  wreck ;  for,  it  being 
hauled  taught  from  the  upper  part  of  the  stern,  made  an 
easy  descent  to  any  who  had  art  enough  to  walk  or  slide 
upon  a  rope,  with  a  smaller  rope  fixed  above  to  hold  by. 
This  was  the  means  of  saving  a  number  of  lives,  though 
many  were  washed  off  by  the  impetuous  surf,  and  pe- 
rished. The  flood  coming  on,  raised  the  surf,  and  pre- 


93  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

vented  any  more  from  coming  at  that  time,  so  that  the 
ropes  could  be  of  no  further  use.  We  then  retired  from 
the  rocks ;  and  hunger  prevailing,  we  set  about  broiling 
some  of  the  drowned  turkeys,  &c.  which,  with  some  flour 
mixed  into  a  paste,  and  baked  upon  the  coals,  constitut- 
ed our  first  meal  upon  this  barbarous  coast.  We  found 
a  well  of  fresh  water  about  half  a  mile  off,  which  very 
much,  refreshed  us.  But  we  had  scarcely  finished  this 
coarse  repast,  when  the  Moors,  who  were  now  grown 
numerous,  drove  us  all  down  to  the  rocks  to  bring  up 
empty  iron-bound  casks,  pieces  of  the  wreck  which  had 
the  most  iron  about  them,  and  other  articles., 

About  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  we  made  another 
meal  on  the  drowned  poultry,  and  finding  that  this  was 
the  best  provision  we  were  likely  to  have,  some  were 
ordered  to  save  all  they  could  find,  others  to  raise  a 
larger  tent,  and  the  rest  sent  down  to  the  rocks  to  look 
for  people  coming  ashore.  The  surf  greatly  increasing 
with  the  flood,  and  breaking  upon  the  fore  part  of  the 
ship,  she  was  divided  into  three  parts ;  the  fore  part 
turned  keel  up,  the  middle  part  soon  dashed  into  a  thou- 
sand pieces  ;  the  fore  part  of  the  poop  likewise  fell  at  this 
time,  and  about  thirty  men  with  it,  eight  of  whom  got 
ashore  with  our  help,  but  so  bruised  that  we  despaired 
of  their  recovery.  Nothing  but  the  after  part  of  the 
poop  now  remained  above  water,  and  a  very  small  part 
of  the  other  decks,  on  which  our  captain,  and  about  one 
hundred  and  thirty  more,  remained,  expecting  every  wave 
to  be  their  last.  Every  shock  threw  some  off;  few  or 
none  of  whom  came  on  shore  alive.  During  this  dis- 
tress, the  Moors  laughed  uncommonly,  and  seemed  much 
diverted  when  a  wave,  larger  than  usual,  threatened 
the  destruction  of  the  poor  wretches  on  the  wreck.  Be- 
tween four  and  five  o'clock  the  sea  was  much  decreased 
with  the  ebb  :  the  rope  being  still  secure,  the  people  be- 
gan to  venture  upon  it;  some  tumbled  off  and  perished, 
but  others  reached  the  shore  in  safety. 

About  five,  we  beckoned  as  much  as  possible  for  the 
captain  to  come  upon  the  rope,  as  this  seemed  to  be  as 
good  an  opportunity  as  any  we  had  seen;  and  man7 


LOSS  OP  HIS  MAJESTY'S  SHIP  LITCHFIELD.  93 

arrived  in  safety  with  our  assistance.     Some  told  us 
that  the  captain  was  determined  to  stay  till  all  the  men^ 
Imd  quitted  the  wreck ;  however,  we  still  continued  to 
beckon  for  him,  and  before  it  was  dark  saw  him  come 
upon  the  rope.     He  was  closely  followed  by  a  good  able 
seaman,  who  did  all  he  could  to  keep  up  his  spirits  and 
assist  him  in  warping.     As  he  could  not  swim,  and  had 
been  so  many  hours  without  refreshment,  with  the  surf 
hurling  him  violently  along,  he  was  unable  to  resist  the 
force  of  the  waves,  had  lost  his  hold  of  the  great  rope, 
and   must  inevitably  have   perished,   had  not  a  wave 
thrown  him  within  the  reach  of  our  ropes,  which  he  had 
barely  sufficient  sense  to  catch  hold  of.     We  pulled  him 
up,  and  after  resting  a  short  time  on  the  rocks,  he  came 
to  himself,  and  walked  up  to  the  tent,  desiring  us  to  con- 
tinue to  assist  the  rest  of  the  people  in  coming  on  shore. 
The  villains,  the  Moors,  would  have  stripped  him,  though 
he  had  nothing  on  but  a  plain  waistcoat  and  breeches, 
if  we  had  not  plucked  up  a  little  spirit  and  opposed  them ; 
upon  which  they  thought  proper  to  desist.     The  people 
continued  to  come  ashore,  though  many  perished  in  the 
attempt.      The  Moors,   at  length,    growing  tired  with 
waiting  for  so  little  plunder,  would  not  suffer  us  to  re- 
main on  the  rocks,  but  drove  us  all  away.     I  then,  with 
the  captain's  approbation,  went,  and  by  signs  made  hum- 
ble supplication  to  the  bashaw,  who  was  in  the  tent  di- 
viding the  valuable  plunder.     He  understood  us  at  last, 
and  gave  us  permission  to  go  down,   at  the  same  time 
sending  some  Moors  with  us.     We  carried  firebrands 
down  to  let  the  poor  souls  on  the  wreck  see  that  we  were 
still  there  in  readiness  to  assist  them.     About  nine  at 
night,  finding  that  no  more  men  would  venture  upon  the 
rope,  as  the  surf  was  again  greatly  increased,  we  retired 
to  the  tent,  leaving,  by  the  account  of  the  last  man  that 
arrived,  between  thirty  and  forty  souls  upon  the  wreck. 
We  now  thought  of  stowing  every  body  in  the  tent,  and 
began  by  fixing  the  captain  in  the  middle;  then  made 
every  man  lie  down  on  his  side,  as  we  could  not  afford 
them  each  a  breadth ;  but,  after  all,  many  took  easier 
lodgings  in  empty  casks. 


94  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 

The  next  morning  the  weather  was  moderate  and  fair. 
We  found  the  wreck  all  in  pieces  on  the  rocks,  and  the 
shore  covered  with  lumber.  The  people  upon  the  wreck 
all  perished  about  one  in  the  morning.  In  the  afternoon 
we  called  a  muster,  and  found  the  number  of  the  survi- 
vors to  be  two  hundred  and  twenty ;  so  that  one  hundred 
and  thirty  perished  on  this  melancholy  occasion. 

On  the  2d  of  December,  the  weather  still  continued 
moderate.  We  subsisted  entirely  on  the  drowned  stock, 
and  a  little  pork  to  relish  it,  and  the  flour  made  into 
cakes ;  all  of  which  we  issued  regularly  and  sparingly, 
being  ignorant  whether  the  Moors  would  furnish  us  with 
any  thing,  they  being  still  very  troublesome,  and  even 
wanting  to  rob  us  of  the  canvass  which  covered  our  tent. 
At  two  in  the  afternoon  a  black  servant  arrived,  sent  by 
Mr.  Butler,  a  Dane,  factor  to  the  American  Company 
at  Saffy,  a  town  at  the  distance  of  about  thirty  miles,  to 
inquire  into  our  condition  and  to  offer  us  assistance. 
The  man  having  brought  pens,  ink  and  paper,  the  cap- 
tain sent  back  a  letter  by  him.  Finding  there  was  one 
who  offered  us  help,  it  greatly  refreshed  our  afflicted 
hearts. 

In  the  afternoon  of  the  following  day  we  received  a 
letter  from  Mr.  Butler,  with  some  bread,  and  a  few  other 
necessaries.  On  the  4th  the  people  were  employed  in 
picking  up  pieces  of  sails,  and  whatever  else  the  Moors 
would  permit  them.  We  divided  the  crew  into  messes, 
and  served  the  necessaries  we  received  the  preceding 
day.  They  had  bread,  and  the  flesh  of  the  drowned 
stock.  In  the  afternoon  we  received  another  letter  from 
Mr.  Butler,  and  one  at  the  same  time  from  Mr.  Andrews, 
an  Irish  gentleman,  a  merchant  at  Saffy.  The  Moors 
were  not  so  troublesome  now  as  before,  most  of  them 
going  off  with  what  they  had  got. 

On  the  5th  the  drowned  stock  was  entirely  consumed, 
and  at  low  water  the  people  were  employed  in  collecting 
muscles.  At  ten  in  the  morning  Mr.  Andrews  arrived, 
bringing  a  French  surgeon  with  medicines  and  plasters, 
of  which  some  of  the  men,  who  had  been  dreadfully 
bruised,  stood  in  great  need.  The  following  day  we 


LOSS  OF  HIS  MAJESTY'S  spip  LITCHFIELD.  95 

served  out  one  of  the  blankets  of  the  country  to  every 
two  men,  and  pampooses,  a  kind  of  slippers,  to  those 
who  were  in  most  want  of  them.  These  supplies  were 
likewise  brought  us  by  Mr.  Andrews.  The  people  were 
now  obliged  to  live  upon  muscles  and  bread,  the  Moors, 
who  promised  us  a  supply  of  cattle,  having  deceived  us, 
and  never  returned. 

The  people  on  the  7th  were  still  employed  in  collect- 
ing muscles  and  limpets.  The  Moors  began  to  be  a  lit- 
tle civil  to  us,  for  fear  the  emperor  should  punish  them 
for  their  cruel  treatment  to  us.  In  the  afternoon  a  mes- 
senger arrived  from  the  emperor  at  Sallee,  with  general 
orders  to  the  people  to  supply  us  with  provisions.  They 
accordingly  brought  us  some  lean  bullocks  and  sheep, 
which  Mr.  Andrews  purchased  for  us ;  but  at  this  time 
we  had  no  pots  to  make  broth  in,  and  the  cattle  were 
scarcely  fit  for  any  thing  else. 

In  the  morning  of  the  10th  we  made  preparations  for 
marching  to  Morocco,  the  emperor  having  sent  orders  for 
that  purpose,  and  camels  to  carry  the  lame  and  the  ne- 
cessaries. At  nine,  set  off  with  about  thirty  camels, 
having  got  all  our  liquor  with  us,  divided  into  hogs- 
heads, for  the  convenience  of  carriage  on  the  camels.  At 
noon,  joined  the  crews  of  one  of  the  transports,  and  a 
bomb-tender,  that  had  been  wrecked  about  three  leagues 
to  the  northward  of  us.  We  were  then  all  mounted 
upon  camels,  excepting  the  captain,  who  was  furnished 
with  a  horse.  We  never  stopped  till  seven  in  the  eve- 
ning, when  they  procured  us  two  tents  only,  which 
would  not  contain  one  third  of  the  men,  so  that  most  of 
them  lay  exposed  to  the  dew.  which  was  very  heavy, 
and  extremely  cold.  We  found  our  whole  number  to  be 
three  hundred  and  thirty-eight,  including  officers,  men, 
boys,  and  three  women  and  a  child,  which  one  of  the  wo- 
men brought  ashore  in  her  teeth. 

On  the  llth  continued  our  journey,  attended  by  a 
number  of  Moors  on  horseback.  At  six  in  the  evening 
we  came  to  our  resting-place  for  that  night,  and  were 
furnished  with  tents  sufficient  to  cover  all  our -men. 

At  five  in  the  morning  of  the  12th,  we  set  out  as  be- 


96  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 

fore,  and,  at  two  in  the  afternoon,  saw  the  emperor's 
cavalcade  at  a  distance.  At  three,  a  relation  of  the  em- 
peror's, named  Muli  Adrix,  came  to  us,  and  told  the 
captain  it  was  the  emperor's  orders  he  should  that  in- 
stant write  a  letter  to  our  governor  at  Gibraltar,  to  send 
to  his  Britannic  majesty  to  inquire  whether  he  would 
settle  a  peace  with  him  or  riot.  Captain  Barton  imme- 
diately sat  down  upon  the  grass  and  wrote  a  letter, 
which,  being  given  to  Muli  Adrix,  he  went  and  joined 
the  emperor  again.  At  six  in  the  evening  came  to  our 
resting-place  for  the  night,  and  were  well  furnished  with 
tents,  but  very  little  provisions. 

We  were,  the  following  day,  desired  to  continue  on 
the  same  spot,  till  the  men  were  refreshed,  and  this  re- 
pose they  greatly  needed,  and  we  received  a  better  sup- 
ply of  provisions.  That  morning  lieutenant  Harrison, 
commanding  the  soldiers  belonging  to  lord  Forbes'  re- 
giment, died  suddenly  in  the  tent.  In  the  evening,  while 
employed  with  his  interment,  the  inhuman  Moors  dis- 
turbed us  by  throwing  stones  and  mocking  us.  The 
next  day  we  found  that  they  had  opened  the  grave  and 
stripped  the  body. 

On  the  16th  we  continued  our  journey,  came  to  oui 
resting-place  at  four  in  the  afternoon,  pitched  the  tents, 
and  served  out  the  provisions.  Here  our  people  were 
ill-treated  by  some  of  the  country  Moors.  As  they  were 
taking  water  from  a  brook,  the  Moors  would  always  spit 
into  the  vessel  before  they  would  suffer  them  to  take  it 
away.  Upon  this  some  of  us  went  down  to  inquire  into 
the  affair,  but  were  immediately  saluted  with  a  shower 
of  stones.  We  ran  in  upon  them,  beat  some  of  them 
pretty  soundly,  put  them  to  flight,  and  brought  away 
one,  who  thought  to  defend  himself  with  a  long  knife 
This  fellow  was  severely  punished  by  the  officer  who 
had  the  charge  of  conducting  us. 

The  two  succeeding  days  continued  our  journey,  and, 
at  three  in  the  afternoon  of  the  18th,  arrived  at  the  city 
of  Morocco,  without  having  seen  a  single  habitation 
during  the  whole  journey.  Here  we  were  insulted  by 
the  rabble,  and,  at  five,  were  carried  before  the  emperor, 


LOSS  OF  HIS  MAJESTY'S  SHIP  LITCHFIELD.  97 

surrounded  by  five  or  six  hundred  of  his  guards.  He 
was  on  horseback  before  the  gate  of  his  palace,  that  be- 
ing the  place  where  he  distributes  justice  to  his  people. 
He  told  captain  Barton,  by  an  interpreter,  that  he  was 
neither  at  peace. nor  war  with  England,  and  he  would 
detain  us  till  an  ambassador  arrived  from  that  country  to 
conclude  a  permanent  treaty.  The  captain  then  desired 
that  we  might  not  be  treated  as  slaves.  He  answered 
hastily,  that  we  should  be  taken  care  of.  We  were  then 
immediately  hurried  out  of  his  presence,  conveyed  to 
two  old  ruinous  houses,  shut  up  amidst  dirt  and  innu- 
merable vermin  of  every  description.  Mr.  Butler  being 
at  Morocco  on  business,  came  and  supplied  us  with 
victuals  and  drink,  and  procured  liberty  for  the  captain 
to  go  home  with  him  to  his  lodgings.  He  likewise  sent 
some  blankets  for  the  officers,  and  we  made  shift  to 
pass  the  night  with  tolerable  comfort,  being  very  much 
fatigued. 

At  nine  in  the  morning  of  the  21st,  the  emperor  sent 
orders  for  the  captain  and  every  officer  to  appear  before 
him.  We  immediately  repaired  to  his  palace ;  we  re- 
mained waiting  in  an  outer  yard  two  hours ;  in  the  mean 
time  he  diverted  himself  with  seeing  a  clumsy  Dutch 
boat  rowed  about  in  a  pond  by  four  of  our  petty  officers. 
About  noon  we  were  called  before  him,  and  placed  in  a 
line  about  thirty  yards  from  him.  He  was  sitting  in  a 
chair  by  the  side  of  the  pond,  accompanied  only  by  two 
of  his  chief  alcaids.  Having  viewed  us  some  time,  he 
ordered  the  captain  to  come  forward,  and  after  asking 
him  a  good  many  questions  concerning  our  navy,  and 
destination  of  the  squadron  to  which  we  had  belonged, 
we  were  also  called  forward  by  two  and  three  at  a  time 
as  we  stood  according  to  our  rank.  He  then  asked  most 
of  us  some  very  insignificant  questions,  and  took  some 
to  be  Portuguese  because  they  had  black  hair,  and 
others  to  be  Swedes  because  their  hair  was  light.  He 
judged  none  of  us  to  be  English  excepting  the  captain, 
the  second  lieutenant,  the  ensign  of  the  soldiers,  and  my- 
self. But  assuring  him  we  were  all  English,  he  cried 
Bonno,  and  gave  a  nod  for  our  departure,  to  which  we 
9 


REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

returned  a  very  low  bow,  and  were  glad  to  return  to  our 
pld  ruined  houses  again.  Our  total  number  amounted  to 
thirty. 

On  the  25th,  being  Christmas  day,  prayers  were  read 
to  the  people  as  usual  in  the  church  of  England.  The 
captain  this  day  received  a  present  of  tea  and  loaves  of 
sugar  from  one  of  the  queens,  whose  grandfather  had 
been  an  English  renegado. 

In  the  afternoon  of  the  26th  we  received  the  disa- 
greeable intelligence  that  the  emperor  would  oblige  all 
the  English  to  work,  like  all  the  other  Christian  slaves, 
excepting  the  officers  who  were  before  him  on  the  21st. 
The  next  day  this  account  was  confirmed ;  for,  at  seven 
in  the  morning,  an  alcaid  came  and  ordered  all  our 
people  to  work,  excepting  the  sick.  Upon  our  applica- 
tion, eight  were  allowed  to  stay  at  home  every  day  to 
cook  for  the  r^st,  and  this  office  was  performed  by  turns 
throughout  the  whole  company.  At  four  in  the  after- 
noon the  people  returned,  some  having  been  employed 
in  carrying  wood,  some  in  turning  up  the  ground  with 
hoes,  and  others  in  picking  weeds  in  the  emperor's  gar- 
den. Their  victuals  was  prepared  for  them  against  their 
return. 

On  the  28th,  all  the  people  went  to  work  as  soon  as 
they  could  see,  and  returned  at  four  in  the  afternoon. 
Two  of  the  soldiers  received  one  hundred  bastinadoes 
each,  for  behaving  in  a  disrespectful  manner  while  the 
emperor  was  looking  at  their  work. 

On  the  30th,  captain  Barton  received  a  kind  message 
from  the  emperor,  with  permission  to  ride  out  or  take  a 
walk  in  his  garden  with  his  officers. 

From  this  time  the  men  continued  in  the  same  state 
of  slavery  till  the  arrival,  in  April,  of  captain  Milbank, 
sent  as  an  ambassador  to  the  emperor.  He  concluded  a 
treaty  for  the  ransom  of  the  crew  of  the  Litchfield,  to- 
gether with  the  other  English  subjects  in  the  emperor's 
power,  and  the  sum  stipulated  to  be  paid  for  their  re- 
lease was  one  hundred  and  seventy  thousand  dollars. 
Our  people  accordingly  set  out  for  Sallee,  attended  by  a 
bashaw  and  two  soldiers  on  horseback.  On  the  fourth 


LOSS  OF  HIS  MAJESTY'S  SHIP  LITCHFIELD.  99 

day  of  their  maich  they  had  a  skirmish  with  some  of 
the  country  Moors.  The  dispute  began  in  consequence 
of  some  of  our  meti  in  the  rear  stopping  at  a  village  to 
buy  some  milk,  for  which,  after  they  had  drank  it,  the 
Moors  demanded  an  exorbitant  price.  This  our  men 
refused  to  give,  on  which  the  Moors  had  recourse  to 
blows,  which  our  people  returned ;  and  others  coming  to 
their  assistance,  they  maintained  a  smart  battle,  till  the 
enemy  became  too  numerous.  In  the  mean  time  some 
rode  off  to  call  the  guard,  who  instantly  came  up  with 
their  drawn  scimetars,  and  dealt  round  them  pretty 
briskly.  During  this  interval  we  were  not  idle,  and  had 
the  pleasure  to  see  the  blood  trickling  down  a  good  many 
of  their  faces.  The  guards  seized  the  chief  man  of  the 
village,  and  carried  him  before  the  bashaw,  who  was  our 
conductor,  and  who,  having  heard  the  cause,  dismissed 
him  without  farther  punishment,  in  consideration  of  his 
having  been  well  drubbed  by  us. 

On  the  22d  of  April  we  arrived  at  Sallee,  and  pitched 
our  tents*rti  an  old  castle,  from  whence  we  soon  after- 
wards embarked  tm  board  the  Gibraltar,  which  landed 
us  at  Gibraltar  on  the  27th  of  June.  From  that  place 
the  captain  and  crew  were  put  on  board  the  Marlborough 
store  ship,  prepared  expressly  for  their  reception,  and  ar- 
rived in  England  in  the  month  of  August,  1760. 


LOSS  OF  THE  PORTUGUESE  VESSEL  THE 
ST.  JAMES, 

Off  the  Coast  of  Africa,  in  1586. 

IN  the  month  of  May,  1586,  intelligence  was  received 
at  Goa  of  the  loss  of  the  admiral's  ship,  the  St.  James. 
The  account  of  this  disaster  stated,  that  after  doubling 
the  cape  of  Good  Hope,  the  captain,  conceiving  he  had 
neither  rocks  nor  other  dangers  to  dread,  proceeded  un- 
der full  sail,  without  observing  his  charts,  or  at  least  not 
with  the  attention  he  ought.  Having  a  favorable  wind, 
he  made  much  way  in  a  short  time,  but  was  driven  out 
of  his  course  towards  the  rocks  called  Bassas  de  India, 
distant  about  fifty  leagues  from  the  island  of  Madagas- 
car, and  seventy  from  the  continent. 

Perceiving  they  were  so  near  these  rocks,  and  in  im- 
minent danger  of  striking  upon  them,  several  of  the  pas- 
sengers, who  had  frequently  traversed  those  seas,  were 
much  alarmed.  They  represented  to  the  captain,  that 
being  in  the  midst  of  the  rocks,  it  was  extremely  danger- 
ous to  suffer  the  ship  to  run  under  full  sail,  particularly 
during  the  night,  and  in  a  season  when  tempests  were 
very  frequent.  The  captain,  regardless  of  their  prudent 
remonstrances,  exerted  his  authority,  ordered  the  pilots 
to  follow  his  commands,  adding,  that  the  king's  com- 
mission entitled  him  to  obedience,  and  that  his  opinion 
ought  to  be  taken  in  preference.  However,  between 
eleven  and  twelve  o'clock  the  same  night  the  vessel  was 
driven  towards  the  rocks,  and  struck  without  a  possibi- 
lity of  being  got  off.  A  confused  cry  of  distress  resound- 
ed, in  every  direction,  from  a  multitude  composed  of 
above  five  hundred  men  and  thirty  women,  who,  having 
no  other  prospect  before  their  eyes  but  inevitable  de- 
struction, bewailed  their  fate  with  the  bitterest  lamenta- 


tOSS  OF  THE  PORTUGUESE  VESSEL  THE  ST.  JAMES.       101 

lions.  Every  effort  to  save  the  ship  proved  ineffectual. 
The  admiral,  Fernando  Mendoza,  the  captain,  the  first 
pilot,  and  ten  or  twelve  other  persons,  instantly  threw 
themselves  into  the  boat,  saying  they  would  seek  upon 
the  rocks  a  proper  place  for  collecting  the  wreck  of  the 
ship,  with  which  they  might  afterwards  construct  a  ves- 
sel large  enough  to  convey  the  whole  of  the  crew  to  the 
continent.  With  this  view  they  actually  landed  on  the 
rock,  but  being  unable  to  find  a  spot  proper  for  the  exe- 
cution of  their  design,  they  did  not  think  proper  to  re- 
turn to  the  ship,  but  resolved  to  steer  towards  the  African 
coast.  Some  provisions  which  had  been  thrown  in  haste 
into  the  boat  were  distributed  among  them ;  they  then 
di^^ted  their  course  towards  the  continent  of  Africa, 
where  they  arrived  in  safety,  after  a  voyage  of  seventeen 
days,  and  enduring  all  the  horrors  of  famine  and  tem- 
pestuous weather.  * 

Those  who  remained  on  board,  finding  that  the  boat 
did  not  return,  began  to  despair  of  saving  their  lives. 
To  add  to  their  distress,  the  vessel  parted  between  the 
two  decks,  and  the  pinnace  was  much  damaged  by  the 
repeated  shocks  she  sustained  from  the  fury  of  the  waves. 
The  workmen,  though  very  expert,  despaired  of  being 
able  to  repair  her,  when  an  Italian,  named  Cypriano  Gri- 
maldi,  leaped  into  her,  accompanied  by  ninety  of  the 
crew,  and,  assisted  by  most  of  those  who  had  followed 
him,  instantly  fell  to  work  to  put  her  into  a  condition 
to  keep  the  sea. 

Those  who  could  not  get  on  board  the  pinnace  beheld 
her  bearing  away  from  the" wreck  with  tears  and  lamen- 
tations. Several  who  could  swim  threw  themselves  into 
the  sea,  in  the  hope  of  overtaking  her ;  and  some  were 
on  the  point  of  getting  on  board,  when  their  more  fortu- 
nate comrades,  fearing  they  should  be  sunk  with  the 
weight  of  all  those  who  endeavored  to  obtain  admittance, 
pushed  them  back  into  the  sea,  and  with  their  sabres 
and  hatchets  cut,  without  mercy,  the  hands  of  such  as 
would  not  quit  their  hold.  It  is  impossible  to  describe 
the  anguish  of  those  who  remained  on  the  floating  frag- 
ments of  the  wreck,  and  witnessed  this  barbarous  scene. 
9* 


102  REMARKABLE 

Seeing  themselves  cut  off  from  every  resource,  their  crids 
and  lamentations  would  have  melted  the  hardest  heart. 
The  situation  of  those  in  the  pinnace  was  not  much  bet- 
ter; their  great  number,  the  want  of  provisions,  theii 
distance  from  the  land,  and  the  bad  condition  of  the  cra- 
zy bark  that  bore  them,  contributed  to  fill  them  with 
gloomy  presentiments.  Some  of  the  most  resolute,  how- 
ever, to  prevent  the  anarchy  and  confusion  which  would 
have  aggravated  their  misery,  proposed  to  their  compa- 
nions to  submit  to  the  authority  of  a  captain.  To  this 
they  all  agreed,  and  immediately  chose  a  nobleman  of 
Portuguese  extraction,  but  born  in  India,  to  command 
them,  investing  him  with  absolute  power.  He  instajtfly 
employed  his  authority,  in  causing  the  weakest,  \^Brn 
he  merely  pointed  out  with  his  finger,  to  be  thrown  over- 
board. In  the  number  of  these  was  a  carpenter,  who 
had  assisted  in  repairing  the  pinnace ;  the  only  favor  he 
requested  was  a  little  wine,  after  which  he  suffered  him- 
self to  be  thrown  into  the  sea  without  uttering  a  word. 
Another,  who  was  proscribed  in  the  same  manner,  was 
saved  by  an  uncommon  exertion  of  fraternal  affection. 
He  was  already  seized  and  on  the  point  of  being  sacri- 
ficed to  imperious  necessity,  when  his  younger  brother 
demanded  a  moment's  delay.  He  observed  that  his 
brother  was  skilful  in  his  profession,  that  his  father  and 
mother  were  very  old,  and  his  sisters  not  yet  settled  in 
life  :  that  he  could  not  be  of  that  service  to  them  which 
his  brother  might,  and,  as  circumstances  required  the 
Sacrifice  of  one  of  the  two,  he  begged  to  die  in  his  stead. 
His  request  was  complied  with,  and  he  was  accordingly 
thrown  into  the  sea.  But  this  courageous  youth  fol- 
lowed the  bark  upwards  of  six  hours,  making  incessant 
efforts  to  get  on  board,  sometimes  on  one  side,  and  some- 
times on  the  other,  while  those  who  had  thrown  him 
over  endeavored  to  keep  him  off  with  their  swords.  But 
that  which  appeared  likely  to  accelerate  his  end  proved 
his  preservation.  The  young  man  snatched  at  a  sword, 
seized  it  by  the  blade,  and  neither  the  pain,  nor  the  exer- 
tions made  by  him  who  held  it,  could  make  him  quit  his 
grasp.  The  others,  admiring  his  resolution,  and  moved 
with  the  proof  of  fraternal  affection  which  he  had  dis- 


OF  THE  PORTUGUESE  VESSEL  THE  ST.  JAMES.   103 

played,  unanimously  agreed  to  permit  him  to  enter  the 
pinnace.  At  length,  after  having  endured  hunger  and 
thirst,  and  encountered  the  dangers  of  several  tempests, 
they  landed  on  the  coast  of  Africa,  on  the  twentieth  day 
after  their  shipwreck,  and  there  met  with  their  compa- 
nions who  had  escaped  in  the  first  boat 

The  rest  of  the  cre\v  and  passengers  left  on  the  wreck 
likewise  attempted  to  reach  the  land.  Collecting  some 
loose  rafters  and  planks,  they  formed  a  kind  of  raft,  but 
were  overwhelmed  by  the  first  sea,  and  all  perished, 
excepting  two  who  gained  the  shore.  Those  who  had 
reached  the  coast  of  Africa  had  not  arrived  at  the  end  of 
their  sufferings;  they  had  scarcely  disembarked  when 
%ie^§fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Caffres,  a  savage  and  in- 
human people,  who  stripped  and  left  them  in  the  most 
deplorable  state.  However,  mustering  up  their  courage 
and  the  little  strength  they  had  left,  they  arrived  at  the 
place  where  the  agent  of  the  Portuguese,  at  Sofala  and 
Mozambique,  resided.  By  him  they  were  received  with 
the  utmost  humanity,  and  after  reposing  a  few  days, 
after  their  fatigues,  they  reached  Mozambique,  and  re- 
paired from  thence  to  India.  Only  sixty  survived  out 
of  all  those  who  had  embarked  in  the  St.  James ;  all  the 
rest  perished,  either  at  sea,  of  fatigue,  or  hunger.  Thus 
the  imprudence  of  an  individual  occasioned  the  loss  of  a 
fine  vessel,  and  the  lives  of  above  four  hundred  and  fifty 
persons. 

Upon  the  captain's  return  to  Europe,  the  widows  and 
orphans  of  the  unfortunate  sufferers  raised  such  loud 
complaints  against  him  that  he  was  apprehended  and 
put  in  prison;  but  he  was  soon  afterwards  released. 
The  former  catastrophe  was  not  a  sufficient  lesson  for 
this  self-sufficient  and  obstinate  man.  He  undertook 
the  command  of  another  vessel  in  1588,  and  had  nearly 
lost  her  in  the  same  manner,  and  in  the  same  place. 
Fortunately,  at  sunrise  he  discovered  the  rocks,  towards 
which  he  was  running  with  the  same  imprudence  as  in 
his  former  voyage.  But  on  his  return  from  India  to 
Portugal  he  was  lost,  together  with  the  vessel  he  was 
on  board  of;  thus  meeting  with  the  just  punishment  of 
his  culpable  obstinacy  and  misconduct. 


LOSS  OF  HIS  MAJESTY'S  SHIP  CENTAUR, 

Of  Seventy-four  Guns,  September  23,  1782. 

AFTER  the  decisive  engagement  in  the  West  Indies,  on 
the  glorious  12th  of  April,  1782,  when  the  French  fleet 
under  count  de  Wrasse  was  defeated  by  admiral  Sir 
George  Rodney,  weveral  of  the  captured  ships,  besides 
many  others,  were  either  lost  or  disabled,  on  their  r^ae- 
ward-bound  passage,  with  a  large  convoy.  Among  those 
lost  was  the  Centaur,  of  seventy-four  guns,  whose  com- 
mander, captain  Inglefield,  with  the  master  and  ten  of 
the  crew,  experienced  a  most  providential  escape  from 
the  general  fate. 

The  captain's  narrative  affords  the  best  explanation  of 
the  manner  and  means  by  which  this  signal  deliverance 
was  effected.  Those  only  who  are  personally  involved 
in  such  a  calamity  can  describe  their  sensations  with 
full  energy,  and  furnish,  in  such  detail,  those  traits  of 
the  heart  which  never  fail  to  interest. 
•  The  Centaur  (says  captain  Inglefield)  left  Jamaica  in 
rather  a  leaky  condition,  keeping  two  hand-pumps  going, 
and  when  it  blew  fresh,  sometimes  a  spell  with  a  chain- 
pump  was  necessary.  But  I  had  no  apprehension  that 
the  ship  was  not  able  to  encounter  a  common  gale  of 
wind. 

In  the  evening  of  the  16th  of  September,  when  the 
fatal  gale  came  on,  the  ship  was  prepared  for  the  worst 
weather  usually  met  in  those  latitudes,  the  main-sail 
was  reefed  and  set,  the  top-gallant  masts  struck,  and 
the  mizzen-yard  lowered  down,  though  at  that  time  it 
did  not  blow  very  strong.  Towards  midnight  it  blew  a 
gale  of  wind,  and  the  ship  made  so  much  water  that  I 
was  obliged  to  turn  all  hands  up  to  spell  the  pumps. 
The  leak  still  increasing,  I  had  thoughts  to  try  the  ship 


LOSS  OP  HIS  MAJESTY'S  SHIP  CENTAUR.  105 

before  the  sea.  Happy  I  should  have  been,  perhaps,  had 
I  in  this  been  determined.  The  impropriety  of  leaving 
the  convoy,  except  in  the  last  extremity,  and  the  hopes 
of  the  weather  growing  moderate,  weighed  against  the 
opinion  that  it  was  right. 

About  two  in  the  morning  the  wind  lulled,  and  we 
flattered  ourselves  the  gale  was  breaking,     Soon  after 
we  had  much  thunder  and  lightning  from  the  south-east, 
with  rain,  when  it  began  to  blow  strong  in  gusts  of  wind, 
which  obliged  me  to  haul  the  main-sail  up,  the  ship  be- 
ing then  under  bare  poles.     This  was  scarcely  done, 
when  a  gust  of  wind,  exceeding  in  violence  any  thing  of 
the  kind  I  had  ever  seen  or  had  any  conception  of,  laid 
the  ship  upon  her  beam  ends.     The  water  forsook  the 
hold  and  appeared  between  decks,  so  as  to  fill  the  men's 
hammocks  to  leeward :  the  ship  lay  motionless,  and  to 
all  appearance  irrecoverably  overset.     The  water   in- 
creasing fast,  forced  through  the  cells  of  the  porjts,  and 
scuttled  in  the  ports  from  the  pressure  of  the  ship.     I 
gave  immediate  directions  to  cut  away  the  main  and 
mizzen  masts,  hoping  when  the  ship  righted  to'  wear  her. 
The  mizzen-mast  went  first,  upon  cutting  one  or  two  of 
the  lanyards,  without  the  smallest  effect  on  the  ship ; 
the  main-mast  followed,  upon  cutting  the  lanyard  of  one 
shroud ;  and  I  had  the  disappointment  to  see  the  fore- 
mast and  bowsprit  follow.     The  ship  upon  this  immedi- 
ately righted,  but  with  great  violence ;  and  the  motion 
was  so  quick,  that  it  was  difficult  for  the  people  to  work 
the  pumps.     Three  guns  broke  loose  upon  the  main- 
deck,  and  it  was  some  time  before  they  were  secured. 
Several  men  being  maimed  in  this  attempt,  every  mova- 
ble was  destroyed,  either  "from  the  shot  thrown  loose 
from  the  lockers,  or  the  wreck  of  the  deck.     The  offi- 
cers, who  had  left  their  beds  naked  when  the  ship  over- 
set in  the  morning,  had  not  an  article  of  clothes  to  put 
on,  nor  could  their  friends  supply  them. 

The  masts  had  not  been  over  the  sides  ten  minutes 
before  I  was  informed  the  tiller  had  broken  short  in  the 
rudder-head  ;  and  before  the  chocks  could  be  placed,  the 
rudder  itself  was  gone.  Thus  we  were  as  much  disas- 


106  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS.  • 

tered  as  it  was  possible,  lying  at  the  mercy  of  -4he  wind 
and  sea :  yet  I  had  one  comfort,  that  the  pumps,  if  any 
thing,  reduced  the  water  in  the  hold;  and  as  th<$. morn- 
ing came  on  (the  17th)  the  weather  grew  more  mode- 
rate, the  wind  having  shifted,  in  the  gale,  to  north- 
west. 

At  daylight  I  saw  two  line-of-battle  ships  to  leeward ; 
one  had  lost  her  fore-mast  and  bowsprit,  the  other  her 
main-mast.  It  was  the  general  opinion  on  board  the 
Centaur,  that  the  former  was  the  Canada,  the  other  the 
Glorieux.  The  Ramilies  was  not  in  sight,  nor  more 
than  fifteen  sail  of  merchant  ships. 

About  seven  in  the  morning  I  saw  another  line-of-bat- 
tle ship  ahead  of  us,  which  I  soon  distinguished  to  be  the 
Ville  de  Paris,  with  all  her  masts  standing.  I  immedi- 
ately gave  orders  to  make  the  signal  of  distress,  hoisting 
the  ensign  on  the  stump  of  the  mizzen-mast,  union  down- 
wards, and  firing  one  of  the  forecastle  guns.  The  ensign 
blew  away  soon  after  it  was  hoisted,  and  it  was  the  only 
one  we  had  remaining ;  but  I  had  the  satisfaction  to  see 
the  Ville  de  Paris  wear  and  stand  towards  us.  Several 
of  the  merchant  ships  also  approached  us,  and  those  that 
could  hailed,  and  offered  their  assistance ;  but  depending 
upon  the  king's  ship,  I  only  thanked  them,  desiring,  if 
they  joined  admiral  Graves,  to  acquaint  him  of  our  con- 
dition. I  had  not  the  smallest  doubt  but  the  Ville  de 
Paris  was  coming  to  us,  as  she  appeared  to  us  not  to 
have  suffered  in  the  least  by  the  storm,  and  having  seen 
her  wear,  we  knew  she  was  under  government  of  her 
helm;  at  this  time,  also,  it  was  so  moderate  that  the 
merchantmen  set  their  top-sails :  but,  approaching  with- 
in two  miles,  she  passed  us  to  windward ;  this  being  ob- 
served by  one  of  the  merchant  ships,  she  wore  and  came 
under  our  stern,  offering  to  carry  any  message  to  her.  I 
desired  the  master  would  acquaint  captain  Wilkinson 
that  the  Centaur  had  lost  her  rudder,  as  well  as  her 
masts ;  that  she  made  a  great  deal  of  water,  and  that  I 
desired  he  would  remain  with  her  until  the  weather 
grew  moderate.  I  saw  the  merchantman  approach  af- 
terwards near  enough  to  speak  to  the  Ville  de  Paris,  but 


LOSS  OF  HIS  MAJESTY'S  SHIP  CENTAUB.  107 

I  am  afraid  that  her  condition  was  much  worse  than  it 
appeared  to  be,  as  she  continued  upon  that  tack.  In  the 
mean  time  all  the  quarter-deck  guns  were  thrown  over- 
board, and  all  but  six,  which  had  overset,  off  the  main- 
deck.  The  ship,  lying  in  the  trough  of  the  sea,  labored 
prodigiously.  I  got  over  one  of  the  small  anchors,  with 
a  boom  and  several  gun  carriages,  veering  out  from  the 
head-door  by  a  large  hawser,  to  keep  the  ship's  bow  to 
the  ?ea ;  but  this,  with  a  top-gallant  sail  upon  the  stump 
of  the  mizzen-mast,  had  not  the  desired  effect. 

As  the  evening  came  on  it  grew  hazy,  and  blew  strong 
in  squalls.  We  lost  sight  of  the  Ville  de  Paris,  but  I 
thought  it  a  certainty  that  we  should  see  her  the  next 
morning.  The  night  was  passed  in  constant  labor  at 
the  pump.  Sometimes  the  wind  lulled,  and  the  water 
diminished ;  when  it  blew  strong  again,  the  sea  rising, 
the  water  again  increased. 

Towards  the  morning  of  the  18th  I  was  informed  there 
was  seven  feet  water  upon  the  kelson ;  that  one  of  the 
winches  was  broken ;  that  the  two  spare  ones  would  not 
fit,  and  that  the  hand-pumps  were  choked.  These  cir- 
cumstances were  sufficiently  alarming ;  but  upon  open- 
ing the  after-hold  to  get  some  rum  up  for  the  people,  we 
found  our  condition  much  more  so. 

It  will  be  necessary  to  mention,  that  the  Centaur's  af- 
ter-hold was  inclosed  by  a  bulk-head  at  the  after  part  of 
the  well;  here -all  the  dry  provisions  and  the  ship's  rum 
were  stowed  upon  twenty  chaldrons  of  coal,  which  un- 
fortunately had  been  started  on  this  part  of  the  ship,  and 
by  them  the  pumps  were  continually  choked.  The 
chain-pumps  were  so  much  worn  as  to  be  of  little  use ; 
and  the  leathers,  which,  had  the  well  been  clear,  would 
have  lasted  twenty  days,  or  more,  were  all  consumed  in 
eight.  At  this  time  it  was  observed  that  the  water  had 
not  a  passage  to  the  well,  for  there  was  so  much  that  it 
washed  against  the  orlop-deck.  All  the  rum,  twenty-six 
puncheons,  and  all  the  provisions,  of  which  there  was 
sufficient  for  two  months,  in  casks,  were  staved,  having 
floated  with  violence  from  side  to  side  until  there  was 
not  a  whole  cask  remaining :  even  the  staves  that  were 


108  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

found  upon  clearing  the  hold  were  most  of  them  broken 
in  two  pieces.  In  the  fore-hold  we  had  a  prospect  of 
perishing :  should  the  ship  swim,  we  had  no  water  but 
what  remained  in  the  ground  tier ;  and  over  this  all  the 
wet  provisions,  and  butts  filled  with  salt-water,  were 
floating,  and  with  so  much  motion  that  no  man  could 
with  safety  go  into  the  hold.  There  was  nothing  left 
for  us  to  try  but  bailing  with  buckets  at  the  fore-hatch- 
way and  fish-room;  and  twelve  large  canvas  buckets 
were  immediately  employed  at  each.  On  opening  the 
fish-room  we  were  so  fortunate  as  to  discover  that  two 
puncheons  of  rum,  which  belonged  to  me,  had  escaped. 
They  were  immediately  got  up,  and  served  out  at  times 
in  drams ;  and  had  it  not  been  for  this  relief,  and  some 
lime-juice,  the  people  would  have  dropped. 

We  soon  found  our  account  in  bailing ;  the  spare  pump 
had  been  put  down  the  fore-hatchway,  and  a  pump 
shifted  to  the  fish-room ;  but  the  motion  of  the  ship  had 
washed  the  coals  so  small,  that  they  had  reached  every 
part  of  the  ship,  and  the  pumps  were  soon  choked. 
However,  the  water  by  noon  had  considerably  dimi- 
nished by  working  the  buckets;  but  there  appeared  no 
prospect  of  saving  the  ship,  if  the  gale  continued.  The 
labor  was  too  great  to  hold  out  without  water ;  yet  the 
people  worked  without  a  murmur,  and  indeed  with 
cheerfulness. 

At  this  time  the  weather  was  more  moderate,  and  a 
couple  of  spars  were  got  ready  for  shears  to  set  up  a 
jury  fore-mast ;  but  as  the  evening  came  on,  the  gale 
again  increased.  We  had  seen  nothing  this  day  but 
the  ship  that  had  lost  her  main-mast,  and  she  appeared 
to  be  as  much  in  want  of  assistance  as  ourselves,  having 
fired  guns  of  distress ;  and  before  night  I  was  told  her 
fore-mast  was  gone. 

The  Centaur  labored  so  much,  that  I  had  scarcely  a 
hope  she  could  swim  till  morning.  However,  by  great 
exertion  of  the  chain-pumps  and  bailing,  we  held  our 
own,  but  our  sufferings  for  want  of  water  were  very 
great,  and  many  of  the  people  could  not  be  restrained 
from  drinking  salt-water. 


LOSS  OF  HIS  MAJESTY'S  SHIP  CENTAUR.  109 

At  daylight  (the  19th)  there  was  no  vessel  in  sight; 
and  flashes  from  guns  having  been  seen  in  the  night,  we 
feared  the  ship  that  we  had  seen  the  preceding  day  had 
foundered.  Towards  ten  o'clock  in  the  forenoon  the 
weather  grew  more  moderate,  the  water  diminished  in 
the  hold,  and  the  people  were  encouraged  to  redouble 
their  efforts  to  get  the  water  low  enough  to  break  a  cask 
of  fresh  water  out  of  the  ground  tier ;  and  some  of  the 
most  resolute  of  the  seamen  were  employed  in  the  at- 
tempt. At  noon  we  succeeded  with  one  cask,  which, 
though  little,  was  a  seasonable  relief.  All  the  officers, 
passengers,  and  boys,  who  were  not  of  the  profession  of 
seamen,  had  been  employed  thrumming  a  sail,  which 
was  passed  under  the  ship's  bottom,  and  I  thought  it 
had  some  effect.  The  shears  were  raised  for  the  fore- 
mast ;  the  weather  looked  promising,  the  sea  fell,  and  at 
night  we  were  able  to  relieve  at  the  pumps  and  bailing 
every  two  hours.  By  the  morning  of  the  20th  the  fore- 
hold  was  cleared  of  the  water,  and  we  had  the  comforta- 
ble promise  of  a  fine  day.  It  proved  so,  and  I  was  deter- 
mined to  make  use  of  it  with  every  possible  exertion.  I 
divided  the  ship's  company,  with  the  officers-  attending 
them,  into  parties,  to  raise  the  jury  fore-mast ;  to  heave 
over  the  lower-deck  guns ;  to  clear  the  wrecks  of  the 
fore  and  after  holds ;  to  prepare  the  machine  for  steering 
the  ship,  and  to  work  the  pumps.  By  night  the  after- 
hold  was  as  clear  as  when  the  ship  was  launched ;  for, 
to  our  astenishment,  there  was  not  a  shovel  of  coals 
remaining,  twenty  chaldrons  having  been  pumped  out 
since  the  commencement  of  the  gale.  What  I  have 
called  the  wreck  of  the  hold,  was  the  bulk-heads  of  the 
after  hold,  fish-room,  and  spirit-rooms.  The  standards 
of  the  cockpit,  an  immense  quantity  of  staves  and  wood, 
and  part  of  the  lining  of  the  ship,  were  thrown  over- 
board, that  if  the  water  should  again  appear  in  the  hold, 
we  might  have  no  impediment  in  bailing.  All  the  guns 
were  overboard,  the  fore-mast  secured,  and  the  machine, 
which  was  to  be  similar  to  that  with  which  the  Ipswich 
was  steered,  was  in  great  forwardness ;  so  that  I  was  in 
hopes,  the  moderate  weather  continuing,  that  I  should 
10 


110  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 

be  able  to  steer  the  ship  by  noon  the  following  day.  and 
at  least  save  the  people  on  some  of  the  Western  Islands. 
Had  we  had  any  other  ship  in  company  with  us.  I  should 
have  thought  it  my  duty  to  have  quitted  the  Centaur 
this  day. 

This  night  the  people  got  some  rest  by  relieving  the 
watches;  but  in  the  morning  of  the  21st  we  had  the 
mortification  to  find  that  the  weather  again  threatened, 
and  by  noon  it  blew  a  gale.  The  ship  labored  greatly, 
and  the  water  appeared  in  the  fore  and  after-hold,  and 
increased.  The  carpenter  also  informed  me  that  the 
leathers  were  nearly  consumed ;  and  likewise  that  the 
chains  of  the  pumps,  by  constant  exertion  and  the  fric- 
tion of  the  coals,  were  considered  as  nearly  useless. 

As  we  had  now  no  other  resource  but  bailing,  I  gave 
orders  that  scuttles  should  be  cut  through  the  decks  to 
introduce  more  buckets  into  the  hold ;  and  all  the  sail- 
makers  'Were  employed,  night  and  day,  in  making  can- 
vas buckets ;  and  the  orlop-deck  having  failed  in  on  the 
larboard  side,  I  ordered  the  sheet  cable  to  be  roused 
overboard.  The  wind  at  this  time  was  at  west,  and 
being  on  the  larboard  tack,  many  schemes  had  been 
practised  to  wear  the  ship,  that  we  might  drive  into  a 
less  boisterous  latitude,  as  well  as  approach  the  Western 
Islands;  but.  none  succeeded:  and  having  a  weak  car- 
penter's crew,  they  were  hardly  sufficient  to  attend  the 
pumps ;  so  that  we  could  not  make  any  progress  with 
the  steering  machine.  Another  sail  had  been  thrummed 
and  got  over,  but  we  did  not  find  its  use ;  indeed  there 
was  no  prospect  but  in  a  change  of  weather.  A  large 
leak  had  been  discovered  and  -stopped  in  the  fore-hold 
and  another  in  the  lady's  hole,  but  the  ship  appeared  so 
weak  from  her  laboring,  that  it  was  clear  she  could  not 
last  long.  The  after  cock-pit  had  fallen  in,  the  fore 
cock-pit  the  same,  with  all  the  store  rooms  down :  the 
stern  post  was  so  loose,  that  as  the  ship  rolled,  the  water 
rushed  in  on  either  side  in  great  streams,  which  we 
could  not  stop. 

Night  came  on,  with  the  same  dreary  prospect  as  on 
the  preceding,  and  was  passed  in  continual  efforts  of 


Loss  of  His  MAJESTY'S  SHIP  CENTAUR.  Ill 

»abor.  Morning  came,  (the  22d,)  without  our  seeing  any 
thing,  or  any  change  of  weather,  and  the  day  was  spent 
with  the  same  struggles,  to  keep  the  ship  above  water, 
pumping  and  bailing  at  the  hatchways  and  scuttles. 
Towards  night  another  of  the  chain  pumps  was  render- 
ed quite  useless,  by  one  of  the  rollers  being  displaced  at 
the  bottom  of  the  pump,  and  this  was  without  remedy, 
there  being  too  much  water  in  the  well  to  get  to  it :  we 
also  had  but  six  leathers  remaining,  so  that  the  fate  of 
the  ship  was  not  far  off.  Still  the  labor  went  on  with- 
out any  apparent  despair,  every  officer  taking  his  share 
of  it,  and  the  people  were  always  cheerful  and  obedient. 
During  the  night  the  water  increased :  but  about  seven 
in  the  morning  of  the  23d  I  was  told  that  an  unusual 
quantity  of  water  appeared,  all  at  once,  in  the  fore-hold, 
which,  upon  my  going  forward  to  be  convinced,  I  found 
but  too  true  ;  the  stowage  of  the  hold  ground- tier  was 
all  in  motion,  so  that  in  a  short  time  there  was  not  a 
whole  cask  to  be  seen.  We  were  convinced  the  ship  had 
sprung  a  fresh  leak.  Another  sail  had  been  thrumming 
all  night,  and  I  was  giving  direotions  to  place  it  over  the 
bows,  when  I  perceived  the  ship  settling  by  the  head, 
the  lower  deck  bow-ports  being  even  with  the  water. 

At  this  period  the  carpenter  acquainted  me  the  well 
was  staved  in,  destroyed  by  the  wreck  of  the  hold,  and 
the  chain  pumps  displaced  and  totally  useless.  There 
was  nothing  left  but  to  redouble  our  efforts  in  bailing, 
but  it  became  difficult  to  fill  the  buckets,  from  the  quan- 
tity of  staves,  planks,  anchor-stock,  and  yard-arm  pieces, 
which  were  now  washed  from  the  wings,  and  floating 
from  side  to  side  with  the  motion  of  the  ship.  The  peo- 
ple, till  this  period,  had  labored,  as  if  determined  to  con- 
quer their  difficulties,  without  a  murmur  or  without  a 
tear ;  but  now  seeing  their  efforts  useless,  many  of  them 
burst  into  tears  and  wept  like  children. 

I  gave  orders  for  the  anchors,  of  which  we  had  two 
remaining,  to  be  thrown  overboard,  one  of  which  (the 
spare  anchor)  had  been  most  surprisingly  hove  in  upon 
the  forecastle  and  midships,  when  the  ship  had  been 
upon  her  beam  ends,  and  gone  through  the  deck. 


112  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

Every  time  that  1  visited  the  hatchway  I  observed  the 
water  increased,  and  at  noon  washed  even  with  the  or- 
lop-deck :  the  carpenter  assured  me  the  ship  could  not 
swim  long,  and  proposed  making  rafts  to  float  the  ship's 
company,  whom  it  was  not  in  my  power  to  encourage 
any  longer  with  a  prospect  of  their  safety.  Some  ap- 
peared perfectly  resigned,  went  to  their  hammocks  and 
desired  their  messmates  to  lash  them  in ;  others  were 
lashing  themselves  to  gratings  and  small  rafts  ;  but  the 
most  predominant  idea  was  that  of  putting  on  their  best 
and  cleanest  clothes. 

The  weather,  about  noon,  had  been  something  mode- 
rate, and  as  rafts  had  been  mentioned  by  the  carpenter, 
I  thought  it  right  to  make  the  attempt,  though  I  knew 
our  booms  could  not  float  half  the  ship's  company  in  fine 
weather ;  but  we  were  in  a  situation  to  catch  at  a  straw. 
I  therefore  called  the  ship's  company  together,  told  them 
my  intention,  recommending  to  them  to  remain  regular 
and  obedient  to  their  officers.  Preparations  were  imme- 
diately made  to  this  purpose  ;  the  booms  were  cleared  ; 
the  boats,  of  which'  we  had  three,  viz.  cutter,  pinnace, 
and  five-oared  yawl,  were  got  over  the  side ;  a  bag  of 
bread  was  ordered  to  be  put  in  each,  and  any  liquors 
that  could  be  got  at,  for  the  purpose  of  supplying  the 
rafts.  I  had  intended  myself  to  go  in  the  five-oared 
yawl,  and  the  coxswain  was  desired  to  get  any  thing 
from  my  steward  that  might  be  useful.  Two  men,  cap- 
tains of  the  tops,  of  the  forecastle,  or  quartermasters, 
were  placed  in  each  of  them,  to  prevent  any  person  from 
forcing  the  boats,  or  getting  into  them  until  an  arrange- 
ment was  made.  While  these  preparations  were  mak- 
ing, the  ship  was  gradually  sinking,  the  orlop-decks 
having  been  blown  up  by  the  water  in  the  hold,  and  the 
cables  floated  to  the  gun-deck.  The  men  had  some  time 
quitted  their  employment  of  bailing,  and  the  ship  was 
left  to  her  fate. 

In  the  afternoon  the  weather  again  threatened,  and 
blew  strongly  in  squalls  ;  the  sea  ran  high,  and  one  of 
the  boats  (the  yawl)  was  staved  alongside  and  sunk. 
As  the  evening  approached,  the  ship  appeared  little  more 


toss  OF  HIS  MAJESTY'S  SHIP  CENTAUR.  113 

than  suspended  in  water.  There  was  no  certainty  that 
she  would  swim  from  one  minute  to  another ;  and  the 
love  of  life,  which  I  believe  never  showed  itself  later  in 
the  approach  to  death,  began  now  to  level  all  distinctions. 
It  was  impossible,  indeed,  for  any  man  to  deceive  him- 
self with  a  hope  of  being  saved  upon  a  raft  in  such  a  sea ; 
besides  that,  the  ship  in  sinking,  it  was  probable,  would 
carry  every  thing  down  with  her  in  a  vortex,  to  a  cer- 
tain distance. 

It  was  near  five  o'clock,  when,  coming  from  my  cabin, 
I  observed  a  number  of  people  looking  very  anxiously 
over  the  side ;  and  looking  over  myself,  I  saw  that  seve- 
ral men  had  forced  the  pinnace,  and  that  more  were  at- 
tempting to  get  in.  I  had  immediate  thoughts  of  securing 
this  boat  before  she  might  be  sunk  by  numbers.  There 
appeared  not  more  than  a  moment  for  consideration  ;  to 
^emain  and  perish  with  the  ship's  company,  to  whom  I 
could  not  be  of  use  any  longer,  or  seize  the  opportunity, 
which  seemed  the  only  way  of  escaping,  and  leave  the 
people,  with  whom  I  had  been  so  well  satisfied  on  a  va- 
riety of  occasions  that  I  thought  I  could  give  my  life  to 
preserve  them.  This,  indeed,  was  a  painful  conflict, 
such  as,  I  believe,  no  man  can  describe,  nor  any  have  a 
just  idea  of  who  has  not  been  in  a  similar  situation. 

The  love  of  life  prevailed.  I  called  to  Mr.  Rainy,  the 
master,  the  only  officer  upon  deck,  desired  him  to  follow 
me,  and  immediately  descended  into  the  boat  at  the  after 
part  of  the  chains,  but  not  without  great  difficulty  got 
the  boat  clear  of  the  ship,  twice  the  number  that  the  boat 
would  carry  pushing  to  get  in,  and  many  jumping  into 
the  water.  Mr.  Baylis,  a  young  gentleman  fifteen  years 
of  age,  leaped  from  the  chains,  after  the  boat  had  got  off, 
and  was  taken  in.  The  boat  falling  astern,  became  ex- 
posed to  the  sea,  and  we  endeavored  to  pull  her  bow 
round  to  keep  her  to  the  break  of  the  sea,  and  to  pass  to 
windward  of  the  ship ;  but  in  the  attempt  she  was  near- 
ly filled,  the  sea  ran  too  high,  and  the  only  probability 
of  living  was  keeping  her  before  the  wind. 

It  was  then  that  I  became  sensible  how  little,  if  any, 
better  our  condition   was  than  that  of  those  who  re- 
10* 


REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

mained  in  the  ship ;  at  best,  it  appeared  to  be  only  a 
prolongation  of  a  miserable  existence.  We  were,  all  to- 
gether, twelve  in  number,  in  a  leaky  boat,  with  one  of 
the  gunwales  staved,  in  nearly  the  middle  of  the  Western 
ocean,  without  a  compass,  without  quadrant,  without 
sail,  without  great  coat  or  cloak,  all  very  thinly  clothed, 
in  a  gale  of  wind,  with  a  great  sea  running !  It  was 
now  five  o'clock  in  the  evening,  and  in  half  an  hour  we 
lost  sight  of  the  ship.  Before  it  was  dark  a  blanket  was 
discovered  in  the  boat,  This  was  immediately  bent  to 
one  of  the  stretches,  and  under  it,  as  a  sail,  we  scudded 
all  night,  in  expectation  of  being  swallowed  up  by  every 
wave,  it  being  with  great  difficulty  that  we  could  some- 
times clear  the  boat  of  the  water  before  the  return  of 
the  next  great  sea ;  all  of  us  half  drowned,  and  sitting, 
except  those  who  bailed,  at  the  bottom  of  the  boat ;  and, 
without  having  really  perished,  I  am  sure  no  people  ever 
endured  more.  In  the  morning  the  weather  grew  mode- 
rate, the  wind  having  shifted  to  the  southward,  as  we 
discovered  by  the  sun.  Having  survived  the  night,  we 
began  to  recollect  ourselves,  and  to  think  of  our  future 
preservation. 

When  we  quitted  the  ship  the  wind  was  at  N.  W.  or 
N.  N.  W.  Fayal  had  borne  E.  S.  E.  two  hundred  and 
fifty  or  two  hundred  and  sixty  leagues.  Had  the  wind 
continued  for  five  or  six  days,  there  was  a  probability 
that  running  before  the  sea  we  might  have  fallen  in  with 
some  one  of  the  Western  Islands.  The  change  of  wind 
was  death  to  these  hopes ;  for,  should  it  come  to  -blow, 
we  knew  there  would  be  no  preserving  life  but  by  run- 
ning before  the  ^ea,  which  would  carry  us  again  to  the 
northward,  where  we  must  soon  afterwards  perish. 

Upon  examining  what  we  had  to  subsist  on,  I  found  a 
bag  of  bread,  a  small  ham,  a  single  piece  of  pork,  two 
quart  bottles  of  water,  and  a  few  of  .French  cordials. 
The  wind  continued  to  the  southward  for  eight  or  nine 
days,  and  providentially  never  blew  so  strong  but  that 
we  could  keep  the  side  of  the  boat  to  the  sea  :  but  we 
were  always  most  miserably  wet  and  cold.  We  kept  a 
sort  of  reckoning,  but  the  sun  and  stars  being  somewhat 


LOSS  OP  HIS  MAJESTY'S  SHIP  CENTAU&.  115 

hidden  from  us,  for  twenty-four  hours,  we  had  no  very 
correct  idea  of  our  navigation.  We  judged,  that  we  had 
nearly  an  E.  N.  E.  course  since  the  first  night's  run, 
which  had  carried  us  to  the  S.  E.  and  expected  to  see 
the  island  of  Corvo.  In  this,  however,  we  were  disap- 
pointed, and  we  feared  that  the  southerly  wind  had 
driven  us  far  to  the  northward.  Our  prayers  were  now 
for  a  northerly  wind.  Our  condition  began  to  he  truly 
miserable,  both  from  hunger  and  cold :  for  on  the  fifth 
day  we  had  discovered  that  our  bread  was  nearly  all 
spoiled  by  salt-water,  and  it  was  neceAiry  to  go  on  an 
allowance.  One  biscuit  divided  into  twelve  morsels  for 
breakfast,  and  the  same  for  dinner ;  the  neck  of  a  bottle 
broken  off,  with  the  cork  in,  served  for  a  glass,  and  this, 
filled  with  water,  was  the  allowance  for  twenty-four 
hours  for  each  man.  This  was  done  without  any  par- 
tiality or  distinction ;  but  we  must  have  perished  ere 
this,  had  we  not  caught  six  quarts  of  rain  water ;  and 
this  we  could  not  have  been  blessed  with,  had  we 
not  found  in  the  boat  a  pair  of  sheets,  which  by  acci- 
dent had  been  put  there.  These  were  spread  when 
it  rained,  and  when  thoroughly  wet,  wrung  into  the 
kidd,  with  which  we  bailed  the  boat.  With  this  short 
allowance,  which  was  rather  tantalizing  in  our  comfort- 
less condition,  we  began  to  grow  very  feeble,  and  our 
clothes  being  continually  wet,  our  bodies  were,  in  many 
places,  chafed  into  sores. 

On  the  15th  day  it  fell  calm,  and  soon  after  a  breeze 
of  wind  sprung  up  from  the  N.  N.  W.  and  blew  to  a 
gale,  so  that  we  ran  before  the  sea  at  the  rate  of  five  or 
six  miles  an  hour  under  our  blanket,  till  we  judged  we 
were  to  fhe  southward  of  Fayal,  and  to  the  westward 
sixty  leagues :  but  the  wind  blowing  strong  we  could  not 
attempt  to  steer  for  it.  Our  wishes  were  now  for  the 
wind  to  shift  to  the  westward.  This  was  the  fifteenth 
day  we  had  been  ifi  the  boat,  and  we  had  only  one  day's 
bread,  and  one  bottle  of  water  remaining  of  a  second 
supply  of  rain.  Our  sufferings  were  now  as  great  as 
human  strength  could  bear,  but  we  were  convinced  that 
good  spirits  were  a  better  support  than  great  bodily 


116  REMARKABLE  SHIPWRECKS. 

strength :  for  on  this  day  Thomas  Matthews,  quarter* 
master,  the  stoutest  man  in  the  boat,  perished  from  hun- 
ger and  cold :  on  the  day  before  he  had  complained  of 
want  of  strength  in  his  throat,  as  he  expressed  it,  to 
swallow  his  morsel,  and  in  the  night  drank  salt-water, 
grew  delirious,  and  died  without  a  groan.  As  it  became 
next  to  a  certainty  that  we  should  all  perish  in  the  same 
manner  in  a  day  or  two,  it  was  somewhat  comfortable 
to  reflect,  that  dying  of  hunger  was  not  so  dreadful  as 
our  imaginations  had  represented.  Others  had  com- 
plained of  thegl  symptoms  in  their  throats ;  some  had 
drank  their  own  urine;  and  all  but  myself  had  drank 
salt-water. 

As  yet  despair  and  gloom  had  been  successfully  pro- 
hibited; and,  as  the  evenings  closed  in,  the  men  had 
been  encouraged  by  turns  to  sing  a  song,  or  relate  a  story, 
instead  of  supper  ;  but  this  evening  I  found  it  impossible 
to  raise  either.  As  the  night  came  on  it  fell  calm,  and 
about  midnight  a  breeze  of  wind  sprang  up',  we  guessed 
from  the  westward  by  the  swell,  but  there  not  being  a 
star  to  be  seen,  we  were  afraid  of  running  out  of  our 
way,  and  waited  impatiently  for  the  rising  sun  to  be 
our  compass. 

As  soon  as  the  dawn  appeared,  We  found  the  wind  to 
be  exactly  as  we  had  wished,  at  W.  S.  W.  and  imme- 
diately spread  our  sail,  running  before  the  sea  at  the 
rate  of  four  miles  an  hour.  Our  last  breakfast  had  been 
served  with  the  bread  and  water  remaining,  when  John 
Gregory,  quartermaster,  declared  with  much  confidence 
that  he  saw  land  hi  the  S.  E.  We  had  so  often  seen 
fog-banks,  which  had  the  appearance  of  land,  that  I  did 
not  trust  myself  to  believe  it,  and  cautioned  the  people, 
(who  were  extravagantly  elated,)  that  they  might  not 
feel  the  eifects  of  disappointment;  till  at  length  one  of 
them  broke  out  into  a  most  immoderate  swearing  fit  of 
joy,  which  I  could  not  restrain,  and  declared  he  had 
never  seen  land  in  his  life  if  what  he  now  saw  was  nof 
land. 

We  immediately  shaped  our  course  for  it,  though  on 
my  part  with  very  little  faith.  The  wind  freshened ;  tht 


LOSS  OF  HIS  MAJESTY'S  SHIP  CENTAUR.  117 

boat  went  through  the  water  at  the  rate  of  five  or  six 
miles  an  hour,  and  in  two  hours'  time  the  land  was 
plainly  seen  by  every  man  in  the  boat,  but  at  a  very 
great  distance,  so  that  we  did  not  reach  it  till  ten  at 
night.  It  must  have  been  at  least  twenty  leagues  from 
us  when  first  discovered ;  and  I  cannot  help  remarking, 
with  much  thankfulness,  the  providential  favor  shown 
to  us  in  this  instance. 

In  every  part  of  the  horizon,  except  where  the  land 
was  discovered,  there  was  so  thick  a  haze  that  we  could 
not  have  seen  any  thing  for  more  thjm  three  or  four 
leagues.  Fayal,  by  our  reckoning,  bo^piL  by  N.  which 
course  we  were  steering,  and  in  a  few  hours,  had  not  the 
sky  opened  for  our  preservation,  we  should  have  increas- 
ed our  distance  from  the  land,  got  to  the  eastward,  and 
of  course  missed  all  the  island.  As  we  approached  the 
land  our  belief  had  strengthened  that  it  was  Fayal.  The 
island  of  Pico,  which  might  have  revealed  it  to  us,  had 
the  weather  been  perfectly  clear,  was  at  this  time  capped 
with  clouds,  and  it  was  some  time  before  we  were  quite 
Satisfied,  having  traversed  for  two  hours  a  great  part  of 
the  island,  where  the  steep  and  rocky  shore  refused  us  a 
landing.  This  circumstance  was  borne  with  much  im- 
patience, for  we  had  flattered  ourselves  that  we  should 
meet  with  fresh  water  at  the  first  part  of  the  land  we 
might  approach ;  and  being  disappointed,  the  thirst  of 
some  had  increased  anxiety  almost  to  a  state  of  madness; 
so  that  we  were  near  making  the  attempt  to  land  in 
some  places  where  the  boat  must  have  been  dashed  to 
pieces  by  the  surf.  At  length  we  discovered  a  fishing 
canoe,  which  conducted  us  into  the  road  of  Fayal  about 
midnight ;  but  where  the  regulation  of  the  port  did  not 
permit  us  to  land  till  examined  by  the  health  officers ; 
however,  I  did  not  think  much  of  sleeping  this  night  in 
the  boat,  our  pilot  having  brought  us  some  refreshments 
of  bread,  wine,  and  water.  In  the  morning  we  were 
visited  by  Mr.  Graham,  the  English  consul,  whose  hu- 
mane attention  made  very  ample  amends  for  the  formality 
of  the  Portuguese.  Indeed  I  can  never  sufficiently  ex- 
press the  sense  I  have  of  his  kindness  and  humanity, 


118  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

both  to  myself  and  people;  for,  I  believe,  it  was  the 
whole  of  his  employment  for  several  days  to  contrive  the 
best  means  of  restoring  us  to  health  and  strength.  It  is 
true,  I  believe  there  never  were  more  pitiable  objects. 
Some  of  the  stoutest  men  belonging  to  the  Centaur  were 
obliged  to  be  supported  through  the  streets  of  Fayal. 
Mr.  Rainy,  the  master,  and  myself,  were,  I  think,  in  bet- 
ter health  than  the  rest ;  but  I  could  not  walk  without 
being  supported ;  and  for  several  days,  with  the  best  and 
most  comfortable  provisions  of  diet  and  lodging,  we  grew 
rather  worse  tbwi  better. 


LOSS  OF  THE  SLOOP  BETSY, 
On  the  Coast  of  Dutch  Guiana,  August  5,  1756. 

ON  the  1st  of  August,  1756,  says  captain  Aubin,  I  set 
sail  for  Surinam,  from  Carlisle  bay,  in  the  island  of  Bar- 
badoes.  My  sloop,  of  about  eighty  tons  burthen,  was 
built  entirely  of  cedar,  and  freighted  by  Messrs.  Roscoe 
and  Nyles,  merchants  of  Bridgetown.  The  cargo  con- 
sisted of  provisions  of  every  kind,  and  horses.  The 
Dutch  colony  being  in  want  of  a  supply  of  those  animals, 
passed  a  law  that  no  English  vessel  should  be  permitted 
to  enter  there,  if  horses  did  not  constitute  part  of  her 
cargo.  The  Dutch  were  so  rigid  in  enforcing  this  con- 
dition, that  if  the  horses  chanced  to  die  on  their  passage, 
the  master  of  the  vessel  was  obliged  to  preserve  the  ears 
and  hoofs  of  the  animals,  and  to  swear  upon  entering 
the  port  of  Surinam,  that  when  he  embarked  they  were 
alive,  and  destined  for  that  colony. 

The  coasts  of  Surinam,  Berbice,  Demarara,  Oronoko, 
and  all  the  adjacent  parts,  are  low  lands,  and  inundated 
by  large  riyters,  which  discharge  themselves  into  the  sea. 
The  bottom  all  along  this  coast  is  composed  of  a  kind 
of  mud,  or  clay,  in  which  the  anchors  sink  to  the  depth 
of  three  or  four  fathoms,  and  upon  which  the  keel  some- 
times strikes  without  stopping  the  vessel.  The  sloop 


I/OSS  OF  THE  SLOOP  BETSY.  119 

being  at  anchor  three  leagues  and  a  half  from  the  shore 
in  five  fathoms  water,  the  mouth  of  the  Demarara  river 
bearing  S.  S.  W.  and  it  being  the  rainy  season,  my  crew- 
drew  up  water  from  the  sea  for  their  use,  which  was 
just  as  sweet  as  good  river  water.  The  current  occa- 
sioned by  the  trade  winds,  and  the  numerous  rivers 
which  fall  into  the  sea,  carried  us  at  the  rate  of  four 
miles  an  hour  towards  the  west  and  north-west. 

In  the  evening  of  the  4th  of  August,  I  was  tacking 
about,  between  the  latitude  of  ten  and  twelve  degrees 
north,  with  a  fresh  breeze,  which  obliged  me  to  reef  my 
sails.  At  midnight,  finding  that  the  wind  increased  in 
proportion  as  the  moon,  then  on  the  wane,  rose  above 
the  horizon,  and  that  my  bark,  which  was  deeply  laden, 
labored  excessively,  I  would  not  retire  to  rest  till  the 
weather  became  more  moderate.  I  told  my  mate,  whose 
name  was  Williams,  to  bring  me  a  bottle  of  beer,  and 
both  sitting  down,  I  upon  a  hen-coop,  and  Williams  up- 
on the  deck,  we  "began  to  tell  stories  to  pass  the  time, 
according  to  the  custom  of  mariners  of  every  country. 
The  vessel  suddenly  turned  with  her  broadside  to  wind- 
ward :  I  called  to  one  of  the  seamen  to  put  the  helm  a 
weather,  but  he  replied  it  had  been  so  for  some  time. 
I  directed  my  mate  to  see  if  the  cords  were  not  entangled: 
he  informed  me  that  they  were  not.  At  this  moment  the 
vessel  swung  round  with  her  head  to  the  sea,  and  plung- 
ed ;  her  head  filled  in  such  a  manner  that  she  could  not 
rise  above  the  surf,  which  broke  over  us  to  the  height 
of  the  anchor  stocks,  and  we  were  presently  up  to  our 
necks  in  water ;  every  thing  in  the  cabin  was  washed 
away.  Some  of  the  crew,  which  consisted  of  nine  men, 
were  drowned  in  their  hammocks,  without  a  cry  or  groan. 
When  the  wave  had  passed,  I  took  the  hatchet  that  was 
hanging  up  near  the  fireplace,  to  cut  away  the  shrouds 
to  prevent  the  ship  from  upsetting,  but  in  vain.  She 
upset,  and  turned  over  again,  with  her  masts  and  sails^ 
in  the  water ;  the  horses  rolled  one  over  the  other  and 
were  drowned,  forming  altogether  a  most  melancholy 
spectacle. 

I  had  but  one  small  boat,  about  twelve  or  thirteen  feet 


120  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 

long ;  she  was  fixed,  with  a  cable  coiled  inside  of  her, 
between  the  pump  and  the  side  of  the  ship.  Providen- 
tially for  our  preservation  there  was  no  occasion  to  lash 
her  fast ;  but  we  at  this  time  entertained  no  hope  of  see- 
ing her  again,  as  the  large  cable  within  her,  together  with 
the  weight  of  the  horses,  and  their  stalls  entangled  one 
among  another,  prevented  her  from  rising  to  the  surface 
of  the  water. 

In  this  dreadful  situation,  holding  by  the  shrouds,  and 
stripping  off.  my  clothes,  I  loeked  round  me  for  some 
plank  or  empty  box  to  preserve  my  life  as  long  as  it 
should  please  'the  Almighty,  when  I  perceived  my  mate 
and  two  seamen  hanging  by  a  rope,  and  imploring  God 
to  receive  their  souls.  I  told  them  that  the  man  who 
was  not  resigned  to  die  when  it  pleased  the  Creator  to 
call  him  out  of  the  world  was  not  fit  to  live.  I  advised 
them  to  undress  as  I  had  done,  and  to  endeavor  to  seize 
the  first  object  that  could  assist  them  in  preserving  their 
lives.  Williams  followed  my  advice,  stripped  himself 
quite  naked,  and  betook  himself  to  swimming,  looking 
out  for  whatever  he  could  find.  A  moment  afterwards 
he  cried  out,  "Here  is  the  boat,  keel  uppermost!"  I  im- 
mediately swam  to  him,  and  found  him  holding  the  boat 
by  the  keel.  We  then  set  to  work  to  turn  her,  but  in 
vain ;  at  length,  however,  Williams,  who  was  the  hea- 
viest and  strongest  of  the  two,  contrived  to  set  his  feet 
against  the  gunwale  of  the  boat,  laying  hold  of  the  keel 
with  his  hands,  and  with  a  violent  effort  nearly  succeed- 
ed in  overturning  her.  I  being  to  windward,  pushed 
and  lifted  her  up  with  my  shoulders  on  the  opposite  side. 
At  length,  with  the  assistance  of  the  surf,  we  turned  her 
over,  but  she  was  full  of  water.  I  got  into  her,  and  en- 
deavored by  the  means  of  a  rope  belonging  to  the  rig- 
ging to  draw  her  to  the  mast  of  the  vessel.  In  the  in- 
tervals between  the  waves  the  mast  always  rose  to  the 
height  of  fifteen  or  twenty  feet  above  the  water.  I  passed 
the  end  of  the  rope  fastened  to  the  boat  once  round  the 
head  of  the  mast,  keeping  hold  of  the  end ;  each  time 
that  the  mast  rose  out  of  the  water,  it  lifted  up  both  the 
boat  and  me ;  I  then  let  go  the  rope,  and  by  this  expe- 


LOSS  OF  THE  SLOOP  BETSY.  121 

dient  the  boat  was  three-fourths  emptied:  but  having 
nothing  to  enable  me  to  disengage  her  from  the  mast  and 
shrouds,  they  fell  down  upon  me,  driving  the  boat  and 
me  again  under  water. 

After  repeated  attempts  to  empty  her,  in  which  I  was 
cruelly  wounded  and  bruised,  1  began  to  haul  the  boat, 
filled  with  water,  towards  the  vessel,  by  the  shrouds; 
but  the  bark  had  sunk  by  this  time  to  such  a  depth,  that 
only  a  small  part  of  her  stern  was  to  be  seen,  upon 
which  my  mate  and  two  other  seamen  were  holding  fast 
by  a  rope.  I  threw  myself  into  the  water,  with  the  rope 
of  the  boat  in  the  mouth,  and  swam  towards  them  to 
give  them  the  end  to  lay  hold  of,  hoping,  by  our  united 
strength,  that  we  should  be  able  to  haul  the  boat  over 
the  stern  of  the  vessel ;  we  exerted  our  utmost  efforts, 
and  at  this  moment  I  nearly  had  my  thigh  broken  by  a 
shock  of  the  boat,  being  between  her  and  the  ship.  At 
length  we  succeeded  in  hauling  her  over  the  stern,  but 
had  the  misfortune  to  break  a  hole  in  her  bottom  in  this 
manoeuvre.  As  soon  as  my  thigh  was  a  little  recovered 
from  the  blow,  I  jumped  into  her  with  one  of  the  men, 
and  stopped  the  leak  with  a  piece  of  his  coarse  shirt.  It 
was  extremely  fortunate  for  us  that  this  man  did  not 
know  how  to  swim;  it  will  soon  be  seen  what  benefit 
we  derived  from  his  ignorance ;  had  it  not  been  for  this 
we  must  all  have  perished.  Being  unable  to  swim,  he 
had  not  stripped,  and  had  thus  preserved  his  coarse 
shirt,  a  knife  that  was  in  his  pocket,  and  an  enormous 
hat,  in  the  Dutch  fashion.  The  boat  being  fastened  to 
the  rigging,  was  no  sooner  cleared  of  the  greatest  part 
of  the  water  than  a  dog  of  mine  came  to  me,  running 
along  the  gunwale ;  I  took  him  in,  thanking  Providence 
for  having  thus  sent  provision  for  a  time  of  necessity. 
A  moment  after  the  dog  had  entered,  the  rope  broke  with 
a  jerk  of  the  vessel,  and  I  found  myself  drifting  away. 
£  called  my  mate  and  the  other  man,  who  swam  to  me : 
the  former  had  fortunately  found  a  small  spare  top-mast, 
which  served  us  for  a  rudder.  We  assisted  the  two 
others  to  get  into  the  boat,  and  soon  lost  sight  of  our  ill- 
fated  bark. 
11 


122  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

It  was  then  four  o'clock  in  the  morning,  as  I  judged 
by  the  dawn  of  day.  which  began  to  appear,  so  that 
about  two  hours  had  elapsed  since  we  were  obliged  to 
abandon  her.  What  prevented  her  from  foundering 
sooner  was  my  having  taken  on  board  about  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  barrels  of  biscuit,  as  many  or  more  casks 
of  flour,  and  three  hundred  firkins  of  butter,  all  which 
substances  float  upon  the  water,  and  are  soaked  through 
but  slowly  and  by  degrees.  As  soon  as  we  were  clear 
of  the  wreck,  we  kept  the  boat  Jefore  the  wind  as  well 
as  we  could,  and  when  it  grew  light  I  perceived  several 
articles  that  had  floated  from  the  vessel.  I  perceived  my 
box  of  clothes  and  linen,  which  had  been  carried  out  of 
the  cabin  by  the  violence  of  the  waves.  I  felt  an  emo- 
tion of  joy.  The  box  contained  some  bottles  of  orange 
and  lime  water,  a  few  pounds  of  chocolate,  sugar,  &c. 
Reaching  over  the  gunwale  of  our  boat  we  laid  hold  of 
the  box,  and  used  every  effort  to  open  it  on  the  water, 
for  we  could  not  think  of  getting  it  into  the  boat,  being 
of  a  size  and  weight  sufficient  to  sink  her.  In  spite  of 
all  our  endeavors  we  could  not  force  open  the  lid;  we 
were  obliged  to  leave  it  behind,  with  all  the  good  things 
it  contained,  and  to  increase  our  distress  we  had  by  tliis 
effort  almost  filled  our  boat  with  water,  and  had  more 
than  once  nearly  sunk  her. 

We,  however,  had  the  good  fortune  to  pick  up  thir- 
teen onions ;  we  saw  many  more,  but  were  unable  to 
reach  them.  These  thirteen  onions  and  my  dog,  with- 
out a  single  drop  of  fresh  water,  or  any  liquor  whatever, 
were  all  that  we  had  to  subsist  upon.  We  were,  ac- 
cording to  my  computation,  above-fifty  leagues  from  land, 
having  neither  mast,  sails,  nor  oars,  to  direct  us,  nor  any 
kind  of  articles  besides  the  knife  of  the  sailor  who  could 
not  swim,  his  shirt,  a  piece  of  which  we  had  already 
used  to  stop  the  leak  in  our  boat,  and  his  wide  trousers. 
We  this  day  cut  the  remainder  of  his  shirt  into  strips, 
which  we  twisted  for  rigging,  and  then  fell  to  work  al- 
tejrnately  to  loosen  the  planks  with  which  the  boat  was 
lined,  cutting,  by  dint  of  time  and  patience,  all  round  the 
heads  of  the  nails  that  fastened  them.  Of  these  planks 


LOSS  OF  THE  SLOOP  BETSY.  123 

we  made  a  kind  of  mast,  which  we  tied  to  the  foremast 
bench ;  a  piece  of  board  was  substituted  for  a  yard,  to 
which  we  fastened  the  two  parts  of  the  trousers,  which 
served  for  sails,  and  assisted  us  in  keeping  the  boat  be- 
fore the  wind,  steering  with  the  top-mast  as  mentioned 
before. 

As  the  pieces  of  plank  which  we  had  detached  from 
the  inside  of  the  boat  were  too  short,  and  were  not  suf- 
ficient to  go  quite  round  the  edge,  when  the  sea  ran  very 
high,  we  were  obliged,  in  order  to  prevent  the  WP  ves 
from  entering  the  boat,  to  lie  down  several  times  alflng 
the  gunwale  on  each  side,  with  our  backs  to  the  water, 
and  thus  with  our  bodies  to  repel  the  surf,  while  the 
other,  with  the  Dutch  hat,  was  incessantly  employed  in 
bailing  out  the  water  ;  besides  which  the  boat  continued 
to  make  water  at  the  leak,  which  we  were  unable  en- 
tirely to  stop. 

It  was  in  this  melancholy  situation,  and  stark  naked, 
that  we  kept  the  boat  before  the  wind  as  well  as  we 
could.  The  night  of  the  first  day  after  our  shipwreck 
arrived  before  we  had  well  completed  our  sail ;  it  grew 
dark,  and  we  contrived  to  keep  our  boat  running  before 
the  wind,  at  the  rate  of  about  a  league  an  hour.  The 
second  day  was  more  calm ;  we  each  eat  an  onion,  at 
different  times,  and  began  to  feel  thirst.  In  the  night 
of  the  second  day  the  wind  became  violent  and  variable, 
and  sometimes  blowing  from  the  north,  which  caused  me 
great  uneasiness,  being'  obliged  to  steer  south,  in  order 
to  keep  the  boat  before  the  wind,  whereas  we  could  only 
hope  to  be  saved  by  proceeding  from  east  to  west. 

The  third  day  we  began  to  suffer  exceedingly,  not  only 
from  hunger  and  thirst,  but  likewise  from  the  heat  of 
the  sun,  which  scorched  us  in  such  a  manner,  that  from 
the  neck  to  the  feet  our  skin  was  as  red  and  as  full  of 
blisters  as  if  we  had  been  burned  by  a  fire.  I  then  seiz- 
ed my  dog  and  plunged  the  knife  in  his  throat.  I  can- 
not even  now  refrain  from  weeping  at  the  thought  of  it ; 
but  at  the  moment  I  felt  not  the  least  compassion  for 
him.  We  caught  his  blood  in  the  hat,  receiving  in  our 
hands  and  drinking  what  ran  over :  we  afterwards  drank 


124  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

in  turn  out  of  the  hat,  and  felt  ourselves  refreshed.  The 
fourth  day  the  wind  was  extremely  violent,  and  the  sea 
ran  very  high,  so  that  we  were  more  than  once  on  the 
point  of  perishing ;  it  was  on  this  day  in  particular  that 
we  were  obliged  to  make  a  rampart  of  GUI  bodies  in  or- 
der to  repel  the  waves.  About  noon  a  ray  of  hope  dawn- 
ed upon  us,  but  soon  vanished. 

We  perceived  a  sloop,  commanded  by  captain  Sou- 
they,  which,  like  my  vessel,  belonged  to  the  ibland  of 
Barbadoes,  and  was  bound  to  Demarara ;  we  could  see 
the  crew  walking  upon  the  deck,  and  shouted  to  them, 
but  were  never-  seen  nor  heard.  Being  obliged,  by  the 
violence  of  the  gale,  to  keep  our  boat  before  the  wind, 
for  fear  of  foundering,  we  had  passed  her  a  great  dis- 
tance before  she  crossed  us ;  she  steered  direct  south,  and 
we  bearing  away  to  the  west.  Captain  Southey  was 
one  of  my  particular  friends.  This  disappointment  so 
discouraged  my  two  seamen  that  they  refused  to  endea- 
vor any  longer  to  save  their  lives.  In  spite  of  all  I  could 
say,  one  of  them  would  do  nothing,  not  even  bail  out 
the  water  which  gained  upon  us ;  I  had  recourse  to  en- 
treaties ;  fell  at  his  knees,  but  he  remained  unmoved. 
My  mate  and  I,  at  length,  prevailed  upon  him,  by  threat- 
ening to  kill  him  instantly  with  the  top-mast,  which  we 
used  to  steer  by,  and  to  kill  ourselves  afterwards,  to  put 
a  period  to  our  misery.  This  menace  made  some  im- 
pression on  him,  and  he  resumed  his  employment  of  bail- 
ing as  before. 

On  this  day  I  set  the  others  the  example  of  eating  a 
piece  of  the  dog  with  some  onions ;  it  was  with  difficulty 
that  I  swallowed  a  few  mouthfuls ;  but  in  an  hour  I  felt 
that  this  morsel  of  food  had  given  me  vigor.  My  mate, 
who  was  of  a  much  stronger  constitution,  eat  more, 
which  gave  me  much  pleasure ;  one  of  the  two  men 
likewise  tasted  it,  but  the  other,  whose  name  was  Com- 
ings, either  would  not  or  could  not  swallow  a  morsel. 

The  fifth  day  was  more  calm,  and  the  sea  much 
smoother.  At  daybreak  we  perceived  an  enormous 
shark,  as  large  as  our  boat,  which  followed  us  several 
hours,  as  a  prey  that  was  destined  for  him.  We  also 


-J*  LOSS  OF  THE  SLOOP  BETSY.  125 

found  in  our  boat  a  flying-fish,  which  had  dropped  there 
during  the  night ;  we  divided  it  into  four  parts,  which 
we  chewed  to  moisten  our  mouths.  It  was  on  this  day 
that,  when  pressed  with  hunger  and  despair,  my  mate, 
Williams,  had  the  generosity  to  exhort  us  to  cut  oif  a 
piece  of  his  thigh  to  refresh  ourselves  with  the  blood, 
and  to  support  life.  In  the  night  we  had  several  show- 
ers, with  some  wind.  We  tried  to  get  some  rain  water 
by  wringing  the  trousers  Avhich  served  us  for  a  sail,  but 
when  we  caught  it  in  our  mouths  it  proved  to  be  as  salt 
as  that  of  the  sea :  the  trousers  having  been  so  often 
soaked  with  sea-water,  that  they,  as  well  as  the  hat, 
were  quite  impregnated  with  salt.  Thus  we  had  no 
other  resource  but  to  open  our  mouths  and  catch  the 
drops  of  rain  upon  our  tongues,  in  order  to  cool  them : 
after  the  shower  was  •  over  we  again  fastened  the  trou- 
sers to  the  mast. 

On  the  sixth  day  the  two  seamen,  notwithstanding  all 
my  remonstrances,  drank  sea-water,  which  purged  them 
so  excessively  that  they  fell  into  a  kind  of  delirium,  and 
were  of  no  more  service  to  Williams  and  me.  Both  he 
and  I  kept  a  nail  in  our  mouths,  and.  often  sprinkled  our 
heads  with  water  to  cool  them.  I  perceived  myself  the 
better  for  these  ablutions,  and  that  my  head  was  more 
easy.  We  tried  several  times  to  eat  of  the  dog's  flesh, 
with  a  morsel  of  onion  ;  but  I  thought  myself  fortunate 
if  I  could  get  down  three  or  four  mouthfuls.  My  mate 
always  eat  rather  more  than  I  could. 

The  seventh  day  was  fine,  with  a  moderate  breeze, 
and  the  sea  perfectly  calm.  About  noon  the  two  men 
who  had  drank  sea-water  grew  so  weak  that  they  be- 
gan to  talk  wildly,  like  people  who  are  light-headed,  not 
knowing  any  longer  whether  they  were  at  sea  or  on 
shore.  My  mate  and  I  were  so  weak  too  that  we  could 
scarcely  stand  on  our  legs,  or  steer  the  boat  in  our  turns, 
or  bail  the  water  from  the  boat,  which  made  a  great 
deal  at  the  leak. 

In  the  morning  of  the  eighth  day,  John  Comings  died, 
and  three  hours  afterwards  George  Simpson  likewise  ex- 
pired. The  same  evening,  at  sunset,  we  had  the  inex- 


126  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 

pressible  satisfaction  of  discovering  the  high  lands  on 
the  west  point  of  the  island  of  Tobago.  Hope  gave  us 
strength.  We  kept  the  head  of  the  boat  towards  the 
land  all  night,  with  a  light  breeze,  and  a  current  which 
was  in  our  favor.  Williams  and  I  were  that  night  in  an 
extraordinary  situation,  our  two  comrades  lying  dead 
before  us,  with  the  land  in  sight,  having  very  little  wind 
to  approach  it,  and  being  assisted  only  by  the  current, 
which  drove  strongly  to  the  westward.  In  the  morning 
we  were  not,  according  to  my  computation,  more  than 
five  or  six  leagues  from  the  land.  That  happy  day  was 
the  last  of  our  sufferings  at  sea.  We  kept  steering  the 
boat  the  whole  day  towards  the  shore,  though  we  were 
no  longer  able  to  stand.  In  the  evening  the  wind  lulled, 
and  it  fell  calm  ;  but  about  two  o'clock  in  the  morning 
the  current  cast  us  on  the  beach  of  the  island  of  Toba- 
go, at  the  foot  of  a  high  shore,  between  little  Tobago 
and  Man-of-War  bay,  which  is  the  easternmost  part  of 
the  island.  The  boat  soon  bilged  with  the  shock ;  rny 
unfortunate  companion  and  I  crawled  to  the  shore,  leav- 
ing the  bodies  of  our  two  comrades  in  the  boat,  and  the 
remainder  of  the  dog,  which  was  quite  putrid. 

We  clambered,  as  well  as  we  could,  on  all  fours,  along 
the  high  coast,  which  rose  almost  perpendicularly  to  the 
height  of  three  or  four  hundred  feet.  A  great  quantity 
of  leaves  had  dropped  down  to  the  place  where  we  were, 
from  the  numerous  trees  over  our  heads ;  these  we  col- 
lected, and  lay  down  upon  them  to  wait  for  daylight. 
When  it  began  to  dawn  we  sought  about  for  water,  and 
found  some  in  the  holes  of  the  rocks,  but  it  was  brack- 
ish, and  not  fit  to  drink.  We  perceived  on  the  rocks 
around  us  several  kinds  of  shell-fish,  some  of  which  we 
broke  open  with  a  stone,  and  chewed  them  to  moisten 
our  mouths. 

Between  eight  and  nine  o'clock  we  were  perceived  by 
a  young  Caraib,  who  was  sometimes  walking  and  at 
others  swimming  towards  the  boat.  As  soon  as  he  had 
reached  it  he  called  his  companions  with  loud  shouts, 
making  signs  of  the  greatest  compassion.  His  comrades 
instantly  followed  him,  and  swam  towards  us,  having 
perceived  us  almost  at  the  same  time. 


LOSS   OP   Tfifi  SLOOP  BETSY.  127 

The  oldest,  who  was  about  sixty,  approached  us,  with 
the  two  youngest,  whom  we  afterwards  found  to  be  his 
son  and  son-in-law.  At  the  sight  of  us  the  tears  flowed 
from  their  eyes :  I  endeavored  by  words  and  signs  to 
make  them  comprehend  that  we  had  been  nine  days  at 
sea,  in  want  of  every  thing.  They  understood  a  few 
French  words,  and  signified  that  they  would  fetch  a  boat 
to  convey  us  to  their  hut.  The  old  man  took  a  hand- 
kerchief from  his  head  and  tied  it  round  mine,  and  one  of 
the  young  Caraibs  gave  "Williams  his  straw  hat;  the 
other  swam  round  the  projecting  rock  and  brought  us  a 
calabash  of  fresh  water,  some  cakes  of  cassava,  and  a 
piece  of  broiled  fish,  but  we  could  not  eat.  The  two 
others  took  the  two  corpses  out  of  the  boat,  and  laid 
them  upon  the  rock,  after  which  all  three  of  them  hauled 
the  boat  out  of  the  water.  They  then  left  us,  with 
marks  of  the  utmost  compassion,  and  went  to  fetch  their 
canoe. 

About  noon  they  returned  in  their  canoe,  to  the  num- 
ber of  six*  and  brought  with  them,  in  an  earthen  pot, 
some  soup  which  we  thought  delicious.  We  took  a  lit- 
tle, but  my  stomach  was  so  weak  that  I  immediately 
cast  it  up  again.  Williams  did  not  vomit  at  all.  In 
less  than  two  hours  we  arrived  at  Man-of-War  bay, 
where  the  huts  of  the  Caraibs  are  situated.  They  had 
only  one  hammock,  in  which  they  laid  me,  and  the  wo- 
man made  us  a  very  agreeable  mess  of  herbs  and  broth 
of  quatracas  and  pigeons.  They  bathed  my  Avoundsr 
which  were  full  of  worms,  with  a  decoction  of  tobacco 
and  other  plants.  Every  morning  the  man  lifted  me  out 
of  the  hammock,  and  carried  me  in  his  arms  beneath  a 
lemon  tree,  where  he  covered  me  with  plantain  leaves  to 
screen  me  from  the  sun.  There  they  anointed  our  bo- 
dies with  a  kind  of  oil  to  cure  the  blisters  raised  by  the 
sun.  Our  compassionate  hosts  even  had  the  generosity 
to  give  each  of  us  a  shirt  and  a  pair  of  trousers,  which 
they  had  procured  from  the  ships  that  came  from  time  to 
time  to  trade  with  them-for  turtles  and  tortoise  shell. 

After  they  had  .cleansed  my  wounds  of  the  vermin, 
they  kept  me  witJf  'my  legs  suspended  m  the  air,  and 


128  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 

anointed  them  morning  and  evening  with  an  oil  extract- 
ed from  the  tail  of  a  small  crab,  resembling  what  the 
English  call  the  soldier-crab,  because  its  shell  is  red. 
They  take  a  certain  quantity  of  these  crabs,  bruise  the 
ends  of  their  tails,  and  put  them  to  digest  in  a  large  shell 
upon  the  fire.  It  was  with  this  ointment  that  they 
healed  my  wounds,  covering  them  with  nothing  but 
plantain  leaves. 

Thanks  to  the  nourishing  food  procured  us  by  the  Ca- 
raibs,  and  their  humane  attention,  I  was  able,  in  about 
three  weeks,  to  support  myself  upon  crutches,  like  a 
person  recovering  from  a  severe  illness.  The  natives 
flocked  from  all  parts  of  the  island  to  see  us,  and  never 
^anid  empty  handed ;  sometimes  bringing  eggs,  and  at 
others  fowls,  which  were  given  with  pleasure,  and  ac- 
cepted with  gratitude.  We  even  had  visiters  from  the 
island  of  Trinidad.  I  cut  my  name  with  a  knife  upon 
several  boards,  and  gave  them  to  different  Caraibs,  to 
show  them  to  any  ships  which  chance  might  conduct  to 
the  coast.  We  almost  despaired  of  seeing  any  arrive, 
when  a  sloop  from  Oronoko,  laden  with  mules  and 
bound  to  St.  Pierre,  in  the  island  of  Martinique,  touched 
at  the  sandy  point  on  the  west  side  of  Tobago.  The 
Indians  showed  the  crew  a  plank  upon  which  my  name 
was  carved,  and  acquainted  them  with  our  situation. 
Upon  the  arrival  of  this  vessel  at  St.  Pierre,  those  on 
board  related  the  circumstance.  Several  merchants  of 
my  acquaintance,  who  traded  under  Dutch  colors,  hap- 
pened to  be  there :  they  transmitted  the  information  to 
my  owners,  Messrs.  Roscoe  and  Nyles,  who  instantly 
despatched  a  small  vessel  in  quest  of  us.  After  living 
about  nine  weeks  with  this  benevolent  and  charitable 
tribe  of  savages,  I  embarked  and  left  them,  when  my 
regret  was  equal  to  the  joy  and  surprise  I  had  experi- 
enced at  meeting  with  them. 

When  we  were  ready  to  depart  they  furnished  us  with 
an  abundant  supply  of  bananas,  figs,  yams,  fowls,  fish, 
and  fruits ;  particularly  oranges  and  lemons.  I  had  no- 
thing to  give  them  as  an  acknowledgment  of  their  gene- 
rous treatment  but  my  boat,  which  they  had  repaired, 


LOSS  OP  THE  SLOOP  BETSY.  129 

and  used  for  occasionally  visiting  their  nests  of  turtles : 
being  larger  than  their  canoes,  it  was  much  more  fit  for 
that  purpose.  Of  this  I  made  them  a  present,  and  would 
have  given  them  my  blood.  My  friend,  captain  Young, 
assisted  me  to  remunerate  my  benefactors.  He  gave  me 
all  the  rum  he  had  with  him,  being  about  seven  or  eight 
bottles,  which  I  likewise  presented  to  them.  He  also 
gave  them  several  shirts  and  trousers,  some  knives,  fish- 
hooks, sail-cloth  for  the  boat,  with  needles  and  ropes. 

At  length,  after  two  days  spent  in  preparations  for  our 
departure,  we  were  obliged  to  separate.  They  came 
down  to  the  beach  to  the  number  of  about  thirty,  men, 
women  and  children,  and  all  appeared  to  feel  the  sincer- 
est  sorrow,  especially  the  old  man,  who  had  acted  like  a 
father  to  me.  When  the  vessel  left  the  bay,  the  tears 
flowed  from  our  eyes,  which  still  continued  fixed  upon 
them.  They  remained  standing  in  a  line  upon  the  shore 
till  they  lost  sight  of  us.  As  we  set  sail  about  nine 
o'clock  in  the  morning,  steering  north-east,  and  as  Man- 
of-War  bay  is  situated  at  the  north-east  point  of  the 
island,  we  were  a  long  time  in  sight  of  each  other.  I 
still  recollect  the  moment  when  they  disappeared  from 
my  sight,  and  the  profound  regret  which  filled  my  heart. 
I  feared  that  I  should  never  again  be  so  happy  as  I  had 
been  among  them.  I  loved  them,  and  will  continue  to 
love  my  dear  Caraibs  as  long  as  I  live ;  I  would  shed 
my  blood  for  the  first  of  those  benevolent  savages  that 
might  stand  in  need  of  my  assistance,  if  chance  should 
ever  bring  one  of  them  to  Europe,  or  my  destiny  should 
again  conduct  me  to  their  island. 

In  three  days  we  arrived  at  Barbadoes.  I  continued 
to  have  a  violent  oppression'on  my  breast,  which  checked 
respiration,  and  was  not  yet  able  to  go  without  crutches. 
We  received  from  the  whole  island  marks  of  the  most 
tender  interest,  and  the  most  generous  compassion ;  the 
benevolence  of  the  inhabitants  was  unbounded.  The 
celebrated  Dr.  Hilery,  the  author  of  a  treatise  on  the 
diseases  peculiar  to  that  isla-nd,  came  to  see  me,  together 
with  Dr.  Lilihorn.  They  prescribed  various  remedies, 
but  without  effect  Both  Williams  and  myself  were 


130  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 

unable  to  speak  without  the  greatest  difficulty.  Wil- 
liams remained  at  Barbadoes,  but  I,  being  more  affected, 
and  less  robust,  was  advised  to  return  to  Europe.  In 
compliance  with  their  advice  I  went  to  London,  where  I 
was  attended  by  doctors  Reeves,  Akenside,  Schomberg, 
and  the  most  celebrated  physicians  of  that  metropolis, 
who  gave  me  all  the  assistance  within  the  power  of  their 
art,  from  which  I  received  scarcely  any  relief.  At 
length,  after  I  had  been  about  a  week  in  London,  Dr. 
Alexander  Russell,  on  his  return  from  Bath,  heard  my 
case  mentioned.  He  came  to  see  me,  and  with  his  ac- 
customed humanity  promised  to  undertake  my  cure, 
without  any  fee ;  but  he  candidly  acknowledged  that  it 
would  be  both  tedious  and  expensive.  I  replied  that  the 
generosity  of  the  inhabitants  of  Barbadoes  had  rendered 
me  easy  on  that  head,  entreating  him  to  prescribe  for 
me,  and  thanking  him  for  his  obliging  offers. 

As  he  had  practised  for  a  long  time  at  Aleppo,  he 
had  there  seen  great  numbers  afflicted  with  the  same 
malady  as  myself,  produced  by  long  thirst  in  traversing 
the  deserts  of  Africa.  He  ordered  me  to  leave  town  to 
enjoy  a  more  wholesome  air.  I  took  a  lodging  at  Ho- 
merton,  near  Hackney  ;  there  he  ordered  me  to  be  bathed 
every  morning,  confining  me  to  asses'  milk  as  my  only 
food,  excepting  a  few  new-laid  eggs,  together  with  mo- 
derate exercise,  and  a  ride  on  horseback  every  day. 
After  about  a  month  of  this  regimen  he  ordered  a  goat  to 
be  brought  every  morning  to  my  bedside;  about  five 
o'clock  I  drank  a  glass  of  her  milk,  quite  hot,  and  slept 
upon  it.  He  then  allowed  me  to  take  .some  light  chicken 
broth,  with  a  morsel  of  the  wing.  By  means  of  this 
diet  my  malady  was  in  a  great  degree  removed  in  the 
space  of  about  five  months,  and  I  was  in  a  state  to  re- 
sume any  occupation  I  pleased  ;  but  my  constitution  has 
ever  since  been  extremely  delicate,  and  my  stomach  in 
particular  very  weak. 


LOSS  OF  THE  BRIG  TYRREL. 

IN  addition  to  the  many  dreadful  shipwrecks  already 
narrated,  the  following,  which  is  a  circumstantial  account 
given  by  T.  Purnell,  chief  mate  of  the  brig  Tyrrel,  Ar- 
thur Cochlan,  commander,  and  the  only  person  among 
the  whole  crew  who  had  the  good  fortune  to  escape, 
claims  our  particular  attention. 

On  Saturday,  June  28th,  1759,  they  sailed  from  New 
York  to  Sandy  Hook,  and  came  to  an  anchor,  waiting 
for  the  captain's  coming  down  with  a  new  boat,  and 
some  other  articles.  Accordingly  he  came  on  board 
early  the  succeeding  morning,  and  the  boat  was  cleared, 
hoisted  in,  stowed  and  lashed.  At  eight  o'clock  A.  M. 
they  weighed  anchor,  sailed  out  of  Sandy  Hook,  and 
the  same  day,  at  noon,  took  their  departure  from  the 
highland  Neversink,  and  proceeded  on  their  passage  to 
Antigua.  As  soon  as  they  made  sail,  the  captain  or- 
dered the  boat  to  be  cast  loose,  in  order  that  she  might 
be  painted,  with  the  oars,  rudder,  and  tiller,  which  job 
he  (the  captain)  undertook  to  do  himself. 

At  four  P.  M.  they  found  Ihe  vessel  made  a  little  more 
water  than  usual ;  but  as  it  did  not  cause  much  addi- 
tional labor  at  the  pump,  nothing  was  thought  of  it.  At 
eight,  the  leak  did  not  seem  to  increase.  At  twelve,  it 
began  to  blow  hard  in  squalls,  which  caused  the  vessel 
to  lie  down  very  much,  whereby  it  was  apprehended 
she  wanted  more  ballast.  Thereupon  the  captain  came 
on  deck,  being  the  starboard  watch ;  and  close-reefed 
both  top-sails. 

At  four  A.  M.  the  weather  moderated — let  out  both 
reefs.  At  eight  it  became  still  more  moderate,  and  they 
made  more  sail,  and  set  the  top-gallant  sails ;  the  wea- 
ther was  still  thick  and  hazy.  There  was  no  further 
observation  taken  at  present,  except  that  the  vessel  made 


132  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 

more  water.  The  captain  was  now  chiefly  employed  in 
painting  the  boat,  oars,  rudder,  and  tiller. 

On  Monday,  June  30th,  at  four  P.  M.,  the  wind  was 
at  E.  N.  E.,  freshened  very  much,  and  blew  so  very  hard 
as  occasioned  the  brig  to  lie  along  in  such  a  manner  as 
caused  general  alarm.  The  captain  was  now  earnestly 
entreated  to  put  for  New  York,  or  steer  for  the  capes  of 
Virginia.  At  eight,  took  in  top-gallant  sail,  and  close 
reefed  both  top-sails,  still  making  more  weather.  After- 
wards the  weather  became  still  more  moderate  and  fair, 
and  they  made  more  sail. 

July  1st,  at  four  A.  M.,  it  began  to  blow  in  squalls 
very  hard;  took  in  one  reef  in  each  top-sail,  and  conti- 
nued so  until  eight  A.  M.,  the  weather  being  still  thick 
and  hazy. — No  observation. 

The  next  day  she  made  still  more  water,  but  as  every 
watch  pumped  it  out,  this  was  little  regarded.  At  four 
P.  M.  took  a  second  reef  in  each  top-sail,  close  reefed 
both,  and  down  top-gallant  yard ;  the  gale  still  in- 
creasing. 

At  four  A.  M.  the  wind  got  round  to  north,  and  there 
was  no  likelihood  of  its  abating.  At  eight,  the  captain, 
well  satisfied  that  she  was  very  crank  and  ought  to  have 
had  more  ballast,  agreed  to  make  for  Bacon  Island  road, 
in  North  Carolina ;  and  in  the  very  act  of  wearing  her,  a 
sudden  gust  of  wind  laid  her  down  on  her  beam  ends, 
and  she  never  rose  again !  At  this  time  Mr.  Purnell 
was  lying  in  the  cabin,  with  his  clothes  on,  not  having 
pulled  them  off  since  they  left  land.  Having  been  rolled 
out  of  his  bed,  (on  his  chest,)  with  great  difficulty  he 
reached  the  round-house  door.  The  first  salutation  he 
met  with  was  from  the  step-ladder  that  went  from  the 
quarter-deck  to  the  poop,  which  knocked  him  against 
the  companion  ;  (a  lucky  circumstance  for  those  below, 
as,  by  laying  the  ladder  against  the  companion,  it  served 
both  him  and  the  rest  of  the  people  who  were  in  the 
steerage  as  a  conveyance  to  windward;)  having  trans- 
ported the  two  after  guns  forward  to  bring  her  more  by 
the  head,  in  order  to  make  her  hold  a  better  wind :  thus 
they  got  through  the  aftermost  gun-port  on  the  quarter- 


tOSS  OF  THE  BRIG  TYRREL.  133 

deck,  and  being  all  on  her  broadside,  every  movable 
rolled  to  leeward ;  and  as  the  vessel  overset,  so  did  the 
boat,  and  turned  bottom  upwards.  Her  lashings  being 
cast  loose  by  order  of  the  captain,  and  having  no  other 
prospect  of  saving  their  lives  but  by  the  boat,  Purnell, 
with  two  others,  and  the  cabin  boy,  who  were  excellent 
swimmers,  plunged  into  the  water,  and  with  great  diffi- 
culty righted  her,  when  she  was  brimful,  and  washing 
with  the  water's  edge.  They  then  made  fast  the  end  of 
the  main-sheet  to  the  ring  in  her  stern-post,  and  those 
who  were  in  the  fore-chains  sent  down  the  end  of  the 
boom-tackle,  to  which  they  made  fast  the  boat's  painter, 
and  by  which  they  lifted  her  a  little  out  of  the  water,  so 
that  she  swam  about  two  or  three  inches  free,  but  almost 
full.  They  then  put  the  cabin  boy  into  her,  and  gave 
him  a  bucket  that  happened  to  float  by,  and  he  bailed 
away  as  quick  as  he  could,  and  soon  after  another  person 
got  in  with  another  bucket,  and  in  a  short  time  got  all 
the  water  out  of  her.  They  then  put  two  long  oars  that 
were  stowed  in  the  larboard  quarter  of  the  Tyrrel  into 
the  boat,  and  pulled  or  rowed  right  to  windward ;  for,  as 
the  wreck  drifted,  she  made  a  dreadful  appearance  in 
the  water ;  and  Mr.  Purnell  and  two  of  the  people  put 
off  from  the  wreck,  in  search  of  the  oars,  rudder  and 
tiller.  After  a  long  while  they  succeeded  in  picking 
them  all  up,  one  after  another.  They  then  returned  to 
their  wretched  companions,  who  were  all  overjoyed  to 
see  them,  having  given  them  up  for  lost. 

By  this  time  night  drew  on  very  fast.  While  they 
were  rowing  in  the  boat,  some  small  quantity  of  white 
biscuit  (Mr.  Purnell  supposed  about  half  a  peck)  floated 
in  a  small  cask  out  of  the  round-house ;  but  before  it 
came  to  hand,  it  was  so  soaked  with  salt  water  that  it 
was  almost  in  a  fluid  state ;  and  about  double  the  quan- 
tity of  common  ship-biscuit  likewise  floated,  which  was 
in  like  manner  soaked.  This  was  all  the  provisions 
that  they  had ;  not  a  drop  of  fresh  water  could  they  get ; 
neither  could  the  carpenter  get  at  any  of  the  tools  to 
scuttle  her  sides,  for,  could  this  have  been  accomplished, 
they  might  have  saved  plenty  of  provisions  and  water. 
12 


134  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 

By  this  time  it  was  almost  dark.  Having  got  one 
compass,  it  was  determined  to  quit  the  wreck,  and  take 
their  chance  in  the  boat,  which  was  nineteen  feet  six 
inches  long,  and  six  feet  four  inches  broad :  Mr.  Purnell 
supposes  it  was  now  about  nine  o'clock :  it  was  very 
dark.  ,They  had  run  three  hundred  and  sixty  miles  by 
their  dead  reckoning,  on  a  S.  E.  by  E.  course.  The 
number  in  the  boat  was  seventeen  in  all ;  the  boat  was 
very  deep,  and  little  hopes  were  entertained  of  either 
seeing  land  or  surviving  long.  The  wind  got  rounil  to 
westward,  which  was  the  course  they  wanted  to  steer ; 
but  it  began  to  blow  and  rain  so  very  hard,  that  f'they 
were  obliged  to  keep  the  boat  before  the  wind  and  sea 
in  order  to  preserve  her  above  water.  Soorj.  after  they 
had  put  oif  from  the  wreck  the  boat  shipped  two  heavy 
seas,  one  after  another,  so  that  they  were  obliged  to  keep 
her  before  the  wind  and  sea ;  for  had  she  shipped  another 
sea,  she  certainly  would  have  swamped  with  them. 

By  sunrise  the  next  morning,  July  3d,  they  judged 
that  they  had  been  running  E.  S.  E.,  which  was  contra- 
ry to  their  wishes.  The  wind  dying  away,  the  weather 
became  very  moderate.  The  compass  which  they  had 
saved  proved  of  no  utility,  one  of  the  people  having  trod 
upon  and  broken  it;  it  was  accordingly  thrown  over- 
board. They  now  proposed  to  make  a  sail  of  frocks  and 
trousers,  but  they  had  got  neither  needles  nor  sewing- 
twine  :  one  of  the  people  however  had  a  needle  in  his 
knife,  and  another  several  fishing  lines  in  his  pockets, 
which  were  unlaid  by  some,  and  others  were  employed 
in  rippingthe(  frocks  and  trousers.  By  sunset  they  had 
provided  t  tolerable  lugsail :  having  split  one  of  the 
boat's thwjtrts.( which  was  of  yellow  deal,)  with  a  very 
large  knife  which  one  of  the  crew  had  in  his  pocket, 
they  made  a  yard  and  lashed  it  together  by  the  strands 
of  the  fore-top-gallant  halliards,  that  were  thrown  into 
the  boat  promiscuously.  They  also  made  a  mast  of  one 
of  the  long  oars,  and  set  their  sails  with  sheets  and 
tacks  made  out  of  the  strands  of  the  top-gallant  halliards. 
Their  only  guide  was  the  north  star.  They  had  a  tole- 
rably good  breeze  all  night ;  and  the  whole  of  the  next 


LOSS  OF  THE  BRIG  TYRREL.  135 

day,  July  4th,  the  weather  continued  very  moderate,  and 
the  people  were  in  as  good  spirits  as  their  dreadful  situa- 
tion would  permit. 

July  5th,  the  wind  and  weather  continued  much  the 
same,  and  they  knew,  by  the  north  star  that  they  were 
standing  in  for  land.  The  next  day  Mr.  Purnell  observed 
some  of  the  men  drinking  salt  water,  and  seeming  rather 
fatigued.  At  this  time  they  imagined  the  wind  had  got 
round  to  the  southward,  and  they  steered,  as  they 
thought,  by  the  north  star,  to  the  north-west  quarter; 
but  on  the  7th,  the  wind  had  got  back  to  the  northward 
and  blew  very  fresh.  They  got  their  oars  out  the  great- 
est part  of  the  night ;  and  the  next  day,  the  wind  still 
dying  away,  the  people  labored  alternately  at  the  oars, 
without  distinction.  About  noon  the  wind  sprung  up  so 
that  they  lay  on  their  oars,  and,  as  they  thought,  steered 
about  N.  N.  W.,  and  continued  so  until  about  eight  or 
nine  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  July  9th,  when  they  all 
thought  they  were  upon  soundings,  by  the  coldness  of 
the  water.  They  were  in  general  in  vejry  good  spirits. 
The  weather  continued  still  thick  and  hazy,  and  by  the 
north  star  they  found  that  they  had  been  steering  about 
north  by  west. 

July  10. — The  people  had  drank  so  much  salt  water, 
that  it  came  from  them  as  clear  as  it  was  before  they  drank 
it ;  and  Mr.  Purnell  perceived  that  the  second  mate  had 
lost  a  considerable  share  of  his  strength  and  spirits ;  and 
also,  at  noon,  that  the  carpenter  was  delirious,  his  mala- 
dy increasing  every  hour;  about  dusk-  he  had  almost 
overset  the  boat,  by  attempting  to  throw  himself  over- , 
board,  and  otherwise  behaving  quite  violently.  As  his 
strength,  however,  failed  him,  he  became  more  manage- 
able, and  they  got  him  to  lie  down  in  the  middle  of  the 
boat,  among  some  of  the  people.  Mr.  Purnell  drank 
once  a  little  salt  water,  but  could  not  relish  it ;  he  pre- 
ferred his  own  urine,  which  he  drank  occasionally  as  he 
made  it.  Soon  after  sunset  the  second  mate  lost  his 
speech.  Mr.  Purnell  desired  him  to  lean  his  head  on 
him:  he  died,  without  a  groan  or  struggle,  on  the  llth 
of  July,  being  the  ninth  day  they  were  in  the  boat.  In  a 


136  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

few  minutes  after,  the  carpenter  expired,  almost  in  a 
similar  manner.  These  melancholy  scenes  rendered  the 
situation  of  the  survivors  more  dreadful ;  it  is  impossible 
to  describe  their  feelings.  Despair  became  general ;  eve- 
ry man  imagined  his  own  dissolution  was  near.  They 
all  new  went  to  prayers ;  some  in  the  Welch  language, 
some  in  Irish,  and  others  in  English ;  then,  after  a  little 
deliberation,  they  stripped  the  two  dead  men  and  hove 
them  overboard. 

•  The  weather  being  now  very  mild,  and  almost  calm, 
they  turned  to,  cleaned  the  boat,  and  resolved  to  make 
their  sail  larger  out  of  the  frocks  and  trousers  of  the  two 
deceased  men.  Purnell  got  the  captain  to  lie  down  with 
the  rest  of  the  people,  the  boatswain  and  one  rrian  ex- 
cepted,  who  assisted  him  in  making  the  sail  larger,  which 
they  had  completed  by  six  or  seven  o'clock  in  the  after- 
noon, having  made  a  shroud  out  of  the  boat's  painter, 
which  served  as  a  shifting  back-stay.  Purnell  also  fixed 
his  red  flannel  waistcoat  at  the  mast  head,  as  a  signal 
the  most  likely  to  be  seen. 

Soon  after  this  some  of  them  observed  a  sloop  at  a 
great  distance,  coming,  as  they  thought,  from  the  land. 
This  roused  every  man's  spirits :  they  got  out  their  oars, 
at  which  they  labored  alternately,  exerting  all  their  re- 
maining strength  to  come  up  with  her ;  but  night  »oming 
on,  and  the  sloop  getting  a  fresh  breeze  of  wind,  they 
lost  sight  of  her,  which  occasioned  a  general  consterna- 
tion ;  however,  the  appearance  of  the  north  star,  which 
they  kept  on  their  starboard  bow,  gave  them  hopes  that 
they  stood  in  for  land.  This  night  one  William  Wathing 
died ;  he  was  sixty-four  years  of  age,  and  had  been  to 
sea  fifty  years :  quite  worn  out  with  fatigue  and  hunger, 
he  earnestly  prayed,  to  the  last  moment,  for  a  drop  of 
water  to  cool  his  tongue.  Early  the  next  morning  Hugh 
Williams  also  died,  and  in  the  course  of  the  day,  another 
of  the  crew ;  entirely  exhausted,  they  both  expired  with- 
out a  groan. 

Early  in  the  morning  of  July  13th,  it  began  to  blow 
very  fresh,  and  increased  so  much  that  they  were  obliged 
to  furl  their  sail,  and  keep  their  boat  before  the  wind  and 


LOSS  OF  THE  BRIG  TYRREL.  137 

sea,  which  drove  them  off  soundings.  In  the  evening 
their  gunner  died.  The  weather  now  becoming  mode- 
rate, and  the  wind  in  the  south-west  quarter,  they  made 
sail,  not  one  of  them  being  able  to  row  or  pull  an  oar  at 
any  rate ;  they  ran  all  this  night  with  a  fine  breeze. 

The  next  morning,  July  14th,  two  more  of  the  crew 
died,  and  in  the  evening  they  also  lost  the  same  number. 
They  found  they  were  on  soundings  again,  and  conclud- 
ed the  wind  had  got  round  to  the  north-west  quarter. 
They  stood  in  for  the  land  all  this  night,  and  early  on 
July  15th,  two  others  died :  the  deceased  were  thrown 
overboard  as  soon  as  their  breath  had  departed.  The 
weather  was  now  thick  and  hazy,  and  they  were  still 
certain  that  they  were  on  soundings. 

The  cabin  boy  was  seldom  required  to  do  any  thing, 
and  as  his  intellects  at  this  time  were  very  good,  and  his 
understanding  clear,  it  was  the  opinion  of  Mr.  Purnell 
that  he  would  survive  them  all,  but  he  prudently  kept 
his  thoughts  to  himself.  The  captain  seemed  likewise 
tolerably  well,  and  to  have  kept  up  his  spirits.  On  ac- 
count of  the  haziness  of  the  weather,  they  could  not  so 
well  know  how  they  steered  in  the  day-time,  as  at  night ; 
for,  whenever  the  north  star  appeared,  they  endeavored 
to  keep  it  on  their  starboard  bow,  by  which  means  they 
were  certain  of  making  the  land  some  time  or  other.  In 
the  evening  two  more  of  the  crew  died ;  also,  before  sun- 
rise, one  Thomas  Philpot,  an  old,  experienced  seaman, 
and  very  strong ;  he  departed  rather  convulsed :  having 
latterly  lost  the  power  of  articulation,  his  meaning  could 
not  be  comprehended.  He  was  a  native  of  Belfast,  Ire- 
land, and  had  no  family.  The  survivors  found  it  very 
difficult  to  heave  his  body  overboard,  as  he  was  a  very 
corpulent  man. 

About  six  or  seven  the  next  morning,  July  16th,  they 
stood  in  for  land,  according  to  the  best  of  their  judg- 
ment ;  the  weather  still  thick  and  hazy.  Purnell  now 
prevailed  upon  the  captain  and  boatswain  of  the  boat  to 
lie  down  in  the  fore  part  of  the  boat,  to  bring  her- more 
by  the  head,  in  order  to  make  her  hold  a  better  wind. 
In  the  evening  the  cabin  boy,  who  lately  appeared  so 
12* 


138  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

well,  breathed  his  last,  leaving  behind  the  captain,  the 
boatswain,  and  Mr.  Purnell. 

The  next  morning,  July  17th,  Purnell  asked  his  two 
companions  if  they  thought  they  could  eat  any  of  the 
boy's  flesh ;  and  having  expressed  an  inclination  to  try, 
and  the  boy  being  quite  cold,  he  cut  the  inside  of  his 
thigh,  a  little  above  his  knee,  and  gave  a  piece  to  the 
captain  and  boatswain,  reserving  a  small  piece  for  him- 
self; but  so  weak  were  their  stomachs  that  none  of  them 
could  swallow  a  morsel  of  it ;  the  body  was  therefore 
thrown  overboard. 

Early  in  the  morning  of  the  18th,  Mr.  Purnell  found 
both  of  his  companions  dead  and  cold  !  Thus  destitute, 
he  began  to  think  of  his  own  dissolution  ;  though  feeble, 
his  understanding  was  still  clear,  and  his  spirits  as  good 
as  his  forlorn  situation  would  possibly  admit.  By  the 
color  and  coldness  of  the  water,  he  knew  he  was  not  far 
from  land,  and  still  maintained  hopes  of  making  it. 
The  weather  continued  very  foggy.  He  lay  to  all  this 
night,  which  was  very  dark,  with  the  boat's  head  to  the 
northward. 

In  the  morning  of  the  19th  it  began  to  rain ;  it  cleared 
up  in  the  afternoon,  and  the  wind  died  away  ;  still  Pur- 
nell was  convinced  he  was  on  soundings. 

On  the  20th,  in  the  afternoon,  he  thought  he  saw  land, 
and  stood  in  for  it ;  but  night  coming  on,  and  it  being 
now  very  dark,  he  lay  to,  fearing  he  might  get  on  some 
rocks  or  shoals. 

July  21st,  the  weather  was  very  fine  all  the  morning, 
but  in  the  afternoon  it  became  thick  and  hazy.  Pur- 
nell's  spirits  still  remained  good,  but  his  strength  was 
almost  exhausted :  he  still  drank  his  own  water  occa- 
sionally. 

On  the  22d,  he  saw  some  barnacles  on  the  boat's  rud- 
der, very  similar  to  the  spawn  of  an  oyster,  which  filled 
him  with  great  hopes  of  being  near  to  land.  He  un- 
shipped the  rudder,  and  scraping  them  oif  with  his 
knife,  found  they  were  of  a  salt  fishy  substance,  and 
eat  them ;  he  was  now  so  weak,  and  the  boat  having  a 
great  motion,  that  he  found  it  a  difficult  task  to  ship  the 
rudder. 


LOSS   OF    THE  BRIG  TVRREL.  139 

At  sunrise,  July  23d,  he  became  so  sure  that  he  saw 
land,  that  his  spirits  were  considerably  raised.  In  the 
middle  of  this  day  he  got  up,  leaned  his  back  against  the 
mast,  and  received  succor  from  the  sun,  having  previ- 
ously contrived  to  steer  the  boat  in  this  position.  The 
next  day  he  saw,  at  a  very  great  distance,  some  kind  of 
a  sail,  which  he  judged  was  coming  from  the  land,  which 
he  soon  lost  sight  of.  In  the  middle  of  the  day  he  got 
up,  and  received  warmth  from  the  sun  as  before.  He 
stood  on  all  night  for  the  land. 

Very  early  in  the  morning  of  the  25th,  after  drinking 
his  morning  draught,  to  his  inexpressible  joy,  he  saw, 
while  the  sun  was  rising,  a  sail,  and  when  the  sun  was 
up,  found  she  was  a  two-mast  vessel.  He  was,  however, 
considerably  perplexed,  not  knowing  what  to  do,  as  she 
was  a  great  distance  astern  and  to  the  leeward.  In  or- 
der to  watch  her  motion  better,  he  tacked  about.  Soon 
after  this  he  perceived  she  was  standing  on  her  starboard 
tack,  which  was  the  same  he  had  been  standing  on  for 
many  hours.  He  saw  she  approached  him  very  fast, 
and  he  lay  to,  for  some  time,  till  he  believed  she  was 
within  two  miles  of  the  boat,  but  still  to  leeward ;  there- 
fore he  thought  it  best  to  steer  larger,  when  he  found  she 
was  a  topsail  schooner,  nearing  him  very  fast.  He  con- 
tinued to  edge  down  towards  her,  until  he  had  brought 
her  about  two  points  under  his  lee-bow,  having  it  in  his 
po\rer  to  spring  hisjuff,  or  bear  away.  By  this  time  she 
was  within  half  a  Aile,  and  he  saw  some  of  the  people 
standing  forward  on  her  deck,  and  waving  for  him  to 
come  under  their  lee-bow.  At  the  distance  of  about 
two  hundred  yards,  they  hove  the  schooner  up  in  the 
wind,  and  kept  her  so  until  Purnell  got  alongside,  when 
they  threw  him  a  rope,  still  keeping  the  schooner  in  the 
wind.  They  now  interrogated  him  very  closely ;  by  the 
manner  the  boat  and  oars  were  painted,  they  imagined 
she  belonged  to  a  man-of-war,  and  that  they  had  run 
away  with  her  from  some  of  his  majesty's  ships  at  Hali- 
fax, consequently  that  they  would  be  liable  to  some  pu- 
nishment if  they  took  him  up :  they-also  thought,  as  the 
captain  and  boatswain  were  lying  dead  in  the  boat,  they 


140  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

might  expose  themselves  to  some  contagious  disorder. 
Thus  they  kept  Purnell  in  suspense  for  some  time.  They 
told  him  they  had  made  the  land  that  morning  from  the 
mast-head,  and  that  they  were  running  along  shore  for 
Marblehead,  to  which  place  they  belonged,  and  where 
they  expected  to  be  the  next  morning.  At  last  they  told 
him  he  might  come  on  board;  which,  as  he  said,  he 
could  not  do  without  assistance ;  when  the  captain  ordered 
two  of  his  men  to  help  him.  They  conducted  him  aft 
on  the  quarter-deck,  where  they  left  him  resting  against 
the  companion.  They  were  now  for  casting  the  boat 
adrift,  when  Purnell  told  them  she  was  not  above  a 
month  old,  built  at  New  York,  and  if  they  would  hoist 
her  in,  it  would  pay  them  well  for  their  trouble.  To 
this  they  agreed,  and  having  thrown  the  two  corpses 
overboard,  and  taken  out  the  clothes  that  were  left  by 
the  deceased,  they  hoisted  her  in  and  made  sail. 

Being  now  on  board,  Purnell  asked  for  a  little  water  : 
captain  Castleman  (for  that  was  his  name)  ordered  one 
of  his  sons  (having  two  on  board)  to  fetch  him  some ; 
when  he  came  with  the  water,  his  father  looked  to  see 
how  much  he  was  bringing  him,  and  thinking  it  too 
much,  threw  a  part  of  it  away,  and  desired  him  to  give 
the  remainder,  which  he  drank,  being  the  first  fresh  wa- 
ter he  had  tasted  for  twenty-three  days.  As  he  leaned 
all  this  time  against  the  companion,  he  became  very  cold, 
and  begged  to  go  below :  the  captain  ordered  two  men  to 
h^lp  him  down  to  the  cabin,  where  they  left  him  sitting 
on  the  cabin  deck,  leaning  upon  the  lockers,  all  hands 
being  now  engaged  in  hoisting  in  and  securing  the  boat. 
This  done,  all  hands  went  down  to  breakfast,  except  the 
man  at  the  helm.  They  made  some  soup  for  Purnell, 
which  he  thought  very  good,  but  at  that  time  could  eat 
but  very  little,  and  in  consequence  of  his  late  draughts, 
he  had  broke  out  in  many  parts  of  his  body,  so  that  he 
was  in  great  pain  whenever  he  stirred.  They  made  a 
bed  for  him  out  of  an  old  sail,  and  behaved  very  atten- 
tive. While  they  were  at  breakfast  a  squall  of  wind 
came  on,  which  called  them  all  upon  deck  ;  during  their 
absence,  Purnell  took  up  a  stone  bottle,  and  without 


LOSS  OF  THE  BRIG  TYRREL.  141 

imelling  or  tasting  it,  but  thinking  it  was  rum,  took  a 
learty  draught  of  it,  and  found  it  to  be  sweet  oil ;  hav- 
ng  placed  it  where  he  found  it,  he  lay  down. 

They  still  ran  along  shore  with  the  land  in  sight,  and 
,vere  in  great  hopes  of  getting  into  port  that  night,  but 
he  wind  dying  away,  they  did  not  get  in  till  nine  o'clock 
he  next  night.  All  this  time  Purnell  remained  like  a 
jhild;  some  one  or  other  was  always  with  him,  to  give 
lim  whatever  he  wished  to  eat  or  drink. 

As  soon  as  they  came  to  anchor,  captain  Castleman 
went  on  shore,  and  returned  on  board  the  next  morning, 
with  the  owner,  John  Pickett,  Esq.  Soon  after,  they  got 
Purnell  into  a  boat  and  carried  him  on  shore ;  but  he 
was  still  so  very  feeble,  that  he  was  obliged  to  be  sup- 
ported by  two  men.  Mr.  Pickett  took  a  very  genteel 
lodging  for  him,  and  hired  a  nurse  to  attend  him ;  he 
was  immediately  put  to  bed,  and  afterwards  provided 
with  a  change  of  clothes.  In  the  course  of  the  day  he 
was  visited  by  every  doctor  in  the  town,  who  all  gave 
him  hopes  of  recovering ;  but  told  him  it  would  be  some 
time;  for  the  stronger  the  constitution,  (said  they,)  the 
longer  it  takes  to  recover  its  lost  strength.  Though 
treated  with  the  utmost  tenderness  and  humanity,  it  was 
three  weeks  before  he  was  able  to  come  down  stairs.  He 
stayed  in  Marblehead  two  months,  during  which  he 
lived  very  comfortably,  and  gradually  recovered  his 
strength.  The  brig's  boat  and  oars  were  sold  for  ninety- 
five  dollars,  which  paid  all  his  expenses,  and  procured 
him  a  passSige  to  Boston.  The  nails  of  his  fingers  and 
toes  withered  away  almost  to  nothing,  and  did  not  begin 
to  grow  for  many  months  after. 


* 


LOSS  OF  THE  FRENCH  EAST  INDIAMAN 
THE  PRINCE,  BY  FIRE. 

By  one  of  the  Lieutenants  of  that  Ship. 

THE  French  East  India  Company's  ship,  The  Prince, 
commanded  by  M.  Morin,  and  bound  to  Pondicherry, 
weighed  anchor  on  the  19th  of  February,  1752,  from  the 
harbor  of  L' Orient.  She  had  scarcely  passed  the  island 
of  St.  Michael,  when  the  wind  shifting,  it  was  found 
impossible  to  double  the  Turk  bank.  The  utmost 
efforts,  arid  the  greatest  precautions,  could  not  prevent 
her  from  striking  on  the  bank,  in  such  a  manner  that 
the  mouths  of  the  guns  were  immersed  in  the  water. 
We  announced  our  misfortune  by  signals  of  distress, 
when  M.  de  Godeheu,  the  commander  of  the  port  of 
L' Orient,  came  on  board  to  animate  the  crew  by  his  pre- 
sence and  his  orders.  All  the  chests,  and  other  articles, 
of  the  greatest  value,  were  removed  safely  into  smaller 
vessels  to  lighten  the  ship ;  the  whole  night  was  occu- 
pied with  the  most  laborious  exertions.  At  length  the 
tide,  in  the  morning,  relieved  us  from  our  dangerous 
situation,  and  enabled  us  to  reach  the  road  of  Port  Lou- 
is :  we  owed  the  preservation  of  the  ship  entirely  to  the 
prudent  directions  of  M.  de  Godeheu,  and  the  measures 
adopted  in  consequence.  The  ship  had  sprung  several 
leaks,  but  fortunately  our  pumps  kept  the  water  under : 
half  the  cargo  was  taken  out  of  the  vessel,  and  in  about 
a  week  we  returned  to  L'Orient,  where  she  was  entirely 
unloaded.  She  was  then  careened  and  caulked  afresh. 
These  precautions  seemed  to  promise  a  successful  voy- 
age, and  the  misfortune  we  had  already  experienced 
showed  the  strength  of  the  vessel,  which  fire  alone  ap 
peared  capable  of  destroying. 

On  the  10th  of  June,  1752,  a  favorable  wind  carried 


LOSS  OF  THE  FRENCH  EAST  INDIAMAN  THE  PRINCE.       143 

us  out  of  the  port,  but  after  a  fortunate  navigation  we 
met  with  a  disaster  of  which  the  strongest  expressions 
can  convey  but  a  faint  idea.  In  this  narrative  I  shall 
confine  myself  to  a  brief  detail,  as  it  is  impossible  to  re- 
collect all  the  circumstances. 

The  26th  of  July,  1752,  being  in  the  latitude  of  eig! 
degrees  thirty  minutes  south,  and  in  longitude  five  d 
grees  west,  the  wind  being  S.  W.  just  at  the  moment  of 
taking  the  observation  of  the  meridian,  I  had  repaired  to 
the  quarter,  where  I  was  going  to  command,  when  a 
man  informed  me  that  a  smoke  was  seen  to  issue  from 
the  pannel  of  the  greater  hatchway. 

Upon  this  information  the  first  lieutenant,  who  kept 
the  keys  of  the  hold,  opened  all  the  hatchways,  to  dis- 
cover the  cause  of  an  accident,  the  slightest  suspicion  of 
which  frequently  causes  the  most  intrepid  to  tremble. 
The  captain,  who  was  at  dinner  in  the  great  cabki,  went 
upon  deck  and  gave  orders  for  extinguishing  the  fire. 
I  had  already  directed  several  sails  to  be  thrown  over- 
board, and  the  hatchways  to  be  covered  with  them, 
hoping,  by  these  means,  to  prevent  the  air  from  pene- 
trating into  the  hold.  I  had  even  proposed,  for  the 
greater  security,  to  let  in  the  water  between  decks,  to  the 
height  of  a  foot ;  but  the  air,  which  had  already  obtain- 
ed a  free  passage  through  the  opening  of  the  hatchways, 
produced  a  very  thick  smoke,  that  issued  forth  in 
abundance,  and  the  fire  continued  gradually  to  gain 
ground. 

The  captain  ordered  sixty  or  eighty  of  the  soldiers 
under  arms  to  restrain  the  crew,  and  prevent  the  con- 
fusion likely  to  ensue  in  such  a  critical  moment.  These 
precautions  were  seconded  by  M.  de  la  Touche,  with 
his  usual  fortitude  and  prudence.  That  hero  deserved 
a  better  opportunity  of  signalizing  himself,  and  had  des- 
tined his  soldiers  for  other  operations  more  useful  to  his 
country. 

All  hands  were  now  employed  in  getting  water ;  not 
only  the  buckets,  but  likewise  all  the  pumps  were  kept 
at  work,  and  pipes  were  carried  from  them  into  the 
hold ;  even  the  water  in  the  jars  was  emptied  out.  The 


144  REMARKABLE  SHIPWRECKS* 

rapidity  of  the  fire,  however,  baffled  our  efforts  and  aug- 
mented the  general  consternation. 

The  captain  had  already  ordered  the  yawl  to  he 
hoisted  overboard,  merely  because  it  was  in  the  way ; 
four  men,  among  whom  was  the  boatswain,  took  posses- 
sion of  it.  They  had  no  oars,  but  called  out  for  some, 
"hen  three  sailors  jumped  overboard  and  carried  them 
t  they  stood  so  much  in  need  of.  These  fortunate 
fugitives  were  required  to  return ;  they  cried  out  that 
they  had  no  rudder,  and  desired  a  rope  to  be  thrown 
them;  perceiving  that  the  progress  of  the  flames  left 
them  no  other  resource,  they  endeavored  to  remove  to  a 
distance  from  the  ship,  which  passed  them  in  conse- 
quence of  a  breeze  that  sprang  up. 

All  hands  were  still  busy  on  board ;  the  impossibility 
of  escaping  seemed  to  increase  the  courage  of  the  men. 
The  master  boldly  ventured  down  into  the  hold,  but  the 
heat  obliged  him  to  return;  he  would  have  .been  burned 
if  a  great  quantity  of  water  had  not  been  thrown  over 
him.  Immediately  afterwards,  the  flames  were  seen  to 
issue  with  impetuosity  from  the  great  pannel.  The  cap- 
tain ordered  the  boats  overboard,  but  fear  had  exhausted 
the  strength  of  the  most  intrepid.  The  jolly-boat  was 
fastened  at  a  certain  height,  and  preparations  were  made 
for  hoisting  her  over ;  but,  to  complete  our  misfortunes, 
the  fire,  which  increased  every  moment,  ascended  the 
main-mast  with  such  violence  and  rapidity  as  to  burn  the 
tackle ;  the  boat  pitching  upon  the  starboard  guns,  fell 
bottom  upwards,  and  we  lost  all  hopes  of  raising  her 
again. 

We  now  perceived  that  we  had  nothing  to  hope  from 
human  aid,  but  only  from  the  mercy  of  the  Almighty. 
Dejection  filled  every  mind ;  the  consternation  became 
general ;  nothing  but  sighs  and  groans  were  heard ;  even 
the  animals  we  had  on  board  uttered  the  most  dreadful 
cries.  Every  one  began  to  raise  his  heart  and  hands 
towards  heaven ;  and  in  the  certainty  of  a  speedy  death 
each  was  occupied  only  with  the  melancholy  alternative 
between  the  two  elements  ready  to  devour  us. 

The  chaplain,  who  was  on  the  quarter-deck,  gave  the 


LOSS    OF   THE   FRENCH   EAST   INDIAMAN   THE   PRINCE.      145 

general  absolution,  and  went  into  the  gallery  to  impart 
the  same  to  the  unhappy  wretches  who  had  already 
committed  themselves  to  the  mercy  of  the  \vuves.  What 
a  horrid  spectacle  !  Each  was  occupied  only  in  throw- 
ing overboard  whatever  promised  a  momentary  preser- 
vation ;  coops,  yards,  spars,  every  thing  that  came  to 
hand  was  seized  in  despair  and  disposed  of  in  the  same 
manner.  The  confusion  was  extreme ;  some  seemed  to 
anticipate  death  by  jumping  into  the  sea,  others,  by 
swimming,  gained  the  fragments  of  the  vessel;  while 
the  shrouds,  the  yards,  and  ropes,  along  the  side  of  the 
ship  were  covered  with  the  crew  who  were  suspended 
from  them,  as  if  hesitating  between  two  extremes,  equally 
imminent  and  equally  terrible. 

Uncertain  for  what  fate  Providence  intended  me,  I 
saw  a  father  snatch  his  son  from  the  flames,  embrace 
him,  throw  him  into  the  sea  then  following  himself,  they 
perished  in  each  other's  embrace.  1  had  ordered  the 
helm  to  be  turned  to  starboard ;  the  vesse.1  heeled,  and 
this  manoeuvre  preserved  us  for  some  time  on  that  side, 
while  the  fire  raged  on  the  larboard  side  from  stem  to 
stern. 

Till  this  moment,  I  had  been  so  engaged  that  my 
thoughts  were  directed  only  to  the  preservation  of  the 
ship ;  now,  however,  the  horrors  of  a  twofold  death  pre- 
sented themselves  ;  but  through  the  Kindness  of  heaven, 
my  fortitude  never  forsook  me.  I  looked  round  and 
found  myself  alone  upon  the  deck.  I  went  into  the 
round-house,  where  I  met  M.  de  la  Touche,  who  regard- 
ed death  with  the  same  heroism  that  procured  him  suc- 
cess in  India.  "  Farewell,  my  brother  and  my  friend," 
said  he,  embracing  me — "  Why,  where  are  you  going)" 
replied  I.  "  I  am  going,  (said  he,)  to  comfort  my  friend 
Morin."  He  spoke  of  the  captain,  who  was  overwhelm- 
ed with  grief  at  the  melancholy  fate  of  his  female  cou- 
sins, who  were  passengers  on  board  his  ship,  and  whom 
he  had  persuaded  to  trust  themselves  to  sea  in  hen-coops, 
after  having  hastily  stripped  off  their  clothes,  while  some 
of  the  sailors,  swimming  with  one  hand,-  endeavored  to 
support  them  with  the  other. 
13 


146  •  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

The  yards  and  masts  were  covered  with  men  strug- 
gling with  the  waves  around  the  vessel ;  many  of  them 
perished  every  moment  by  the  balls  discharged  by  the 
guns  in  consequence  of  the  flames ;  a  third  species  of 
death,  that  augmented  the  horrors  by  which  we  were 
surrounded.  With  a  heart  oppressed  with  anguish,  I 
turned  my  eyes  away  from  the  sea.  A  moment  after- 
wards I  entered  the  starboard  gallery,  and  saw  the  flames 
rushing  with  a  horrid  noise  through  the  windows  of  the 
great  cabin  and  the  round-house.  The  fire  approached, 
and  was  ready  to  consume  me ;  my  presence  was  then 
entirely  useless  for  the  preservation  of  the  vessel,  or  the 
relief  of  my  fellow  sufferers. 

In  this  dreadful  situation  I  thought  it  my  duty  to  pro- 
long my  life  a  few  hours,  in  order  to  devote  them  to  my 
God.  I  stripped  off  my  clothes  with  the  intention  of 
rolling  down  a  yard,  one  end  of  which  touched  the  wa- 
ter ;  but  it  was  so  covered  with  unfortunate  wretches, 
whom  the  fear  of  drowning  kept  in  that  situation,  that 
I  tumbled  ovier  them  and  fell  into  the  sea,  recommending 
myself  to  the  mercy  of  Providence.  A  stout  soldier  who 
was  drowning  caught  hold  of  me  in  this  extremity ;  I 
employed  every  exertion  to  disengage  myself  from  him, 
but  without  effect.  I  suffered  myself  to  sink  under  the 
water,  but  he  did  not  quit  his  hold ;  I  plunged  a  second 
time,  and  he  still  held  me  firmly  in  his  grasp ;  he  was  in- 
capable of  reflecting  that  my  death  would  rather  hasten 
his  own  than  be  of  service  to  him.  At  length,  after 
struggling  a  considerable  time,  his  strength  was  exhaust- 
ed in  consequence  of  the  quantity  of  water  he  had  swal- 
lowed, and  perceiving  that  I  was  sinking  the  third  time, 
and  fearing  lest  I  should  drag  him  to  the  bottom  along 
with  me,  he  loosed  his  hold.  That  he  might  not  catch 
me  again  1  dived,  and  rose  a  considerable  distance  from 
the  spot. 

This  first  adventure  rendered  me  more  cautious  in  fu- 
ture ;  I  even  shunned  the  dead  bodies,  which  were  so 
numerous,  that,  to  make  a  free  passage,  I  was  obliged 
to  push  them  aside  with  one  hand,  while  I  kept  myself 
above  water  with  the  other.  I  imagined  that  each  of 


LOSS   OF   THE   FRENCH    EAST   INDIAMAN   THE   PRINCE.     147 

them  was  a  man  who  would  assuredly  seize  and  involve 
me  in  his  own  destruction.  My  strength  began  to  fail, 
and  I  was  convinced  of  the  necessity  of  resting,  when  I 
met  a  piece  of  the  flag  staff.  To  secure  it  I  put  my  arm 
through  the  noose  of  the  rope,  and  swam  as  well  as  I 
was  able ;  I  perceived  a  yard  floating  before  me,  when 
1  approached  and  seized  it  by  the  end.  At  the  other  ex- 
tremity I  saw  a  young  man,  scarcely  able  to  support 
himself,  and  speedily  relinquished  this  feeble  assistance 
that  announced  a  certain  death.  The  sprit-sail  yard 
next  appeared  in  sight ;  it  was  covered  with  people,  and 
I  durst  not  take  a  place  upon  it  without  asking  permis- 
sion, which  my  unfortunate  companions  cheerfully  grant- 
ed. Some  were  quite  naked,  and  others  in  their  shirts  ; 
they  expressed  their  pity  at  my  situation,  and  their  mis- 
fortune put  my  sensibility  to  the  severest  test. 

M.  Morin  and  M.  de  la  Touche,  both  so  worthy  of  a 
better  fate,  never  quitted  the  vessel,  and  were  doubtless 
buried  in  its  ruins.  Whichever  way  I  turned  my 
eyes,  the  most  dismal  sights  presented  themselves.  The 
main-mast,  burnt  away  at  the  bottom,  fell  overboard, 
killing  some,  and  affording  to  others  a  precarious  resource. 
This  mast  I  observed  covered  with  people,  and  abandon- 
ed to  the  impulse  of  the  waves ;  at  the  same  moment 
I  perceived  two  sSftors  upon  a  hen-coop  with  some 
planks,  and  cried  out  to  them,  "  My  lads,  bring  the  planks, 
and  swim  to  me."  They  approached  me,  accompanied 
by  several  others;  and  each  taking  a  plank,  which  we 
used  as  oars,  we  paddled  along  upon  the  yard,  and  join- 
ed those  who  had  taken  possession  of  the  main-mast. 

'  So  many  changes  of  situation  presented  only  new 
spectacles  of  horror.  I  fortunately  here  met  with  our 
chaplain,  who  gave  me  absolution.  We  were  in  num- 
ber about  eighty  persons,  who  were  incessantly  threat- 
ened with  destruction  by  the  balls  from  the  ship's  guns. 
I  saw  likewise  on  the  mast  two  young  ladies,  by  whose 
piety  I  was  much  edified ;  there  were  six  females  on 
board,  and  the  other  four  were,  in  all  probability,  already 
drowned  or  burned.  Our  chaplain,  in  this  dreadful  situ- 
ation, melted  the  most  obdurate  hearts  by  his  discourse 


'148  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 

and  the  example  he  gave  of  patience  and  resignation. 
Seeing  him  slip  from  the  mast  and  fall  into  the  sea,  as  I 
was  behind  him,  I  lifted  him  up  again.  "  Let  me  go, 
(said  he,)  I  am  full  of  water,  and  it  is  only  a  prolonga- 
tion of  my  sufferings."  "No,  my  friend,  (said  I,)  we 
will  die  together  when  my  strength  forsakes  me."  In 
his  pious  company  I  awaited  death  with  perfect  resigna- 
tion. I  remained  in  this  situation  three  hours,  and  saw 
one  of  the  ladies  fall  off  the  mast  with  fatigue,  and  pe- 
rish ;  she  was  too  far  distant  for  me  to  give  her  any  as- 
sistance. 

When  I  least  expected  it,  I  perceived  the  yawl  close 
to  us  ;  it  was  then  five  o'clock,  P.  M.  I  cried  out  to  the 
men  in  her  that  I  was  their  lieutenant,  and  begged  per- 
mission to  share  our  misfortune  with  them.  They  gave 
me  leave  to  come  on  board,  upon  condition  that  I  would 
swim  to  them.  It  was  their  interest  to  have  a'conductor, 
in  order  to  discover  land ;  and  for  this  reason  my  compa- 
ny was  too  necessary  for  them  to  refuse  my  request. 
The  condition  they  imposed  upon  me  was  perfectly  rea- 
sonable ;  they  acted  prudently  not  to  approach,  as  the 
others  would  have  been  equally  anxious  to  enter  their 
little  bark  ;  and  we  should  all  have  been  buried  together 
in  a  watery  grave.  Mustering,  therefore,  all  my  strength, 
I  was  so  fortunate  as  to  reach  the  boat.  Soon  afterwards 
I  observed  the  pilot  and  master,  whom  I  had  left  on  the 
main-mast,  follow  my  example  ;  they  swam  to  the  yawl, 
and  we  took  them  in.  This  little  bark  was  the  means 
of  saving  the  ten  persons  who  alone  escaped,  out  of 
nearly  three  hundred. 

The  flames  still  continued  to  consume  our  ship,  from 
which  we  were  not  more  than  half  a  league  distant ;  our 
too  great  proximity  might  prove  pernicious,  and  we, 
therefore,  proceeded  a  little  to  windward.  Not  long  af- 
ter, the  fire  communicated  to  the  powder-room,  and 
it  is  impossible  to  describe  the  noise  with  which  our 
vessel  blew  up.  A  thick  cloud  intercepted  the  light 
of  the  sun ;  amidst  this  horrible  darkness  we  could  per- 
ceive nothing  but  large  pieces  of  flaming  wood  projected 
into  the  air,  and  whose  fall  threatened  to  dash  to  pieces 


LOSS  OF   THE  FRENCH   EAST   INDIAMAN   THE  PRINCE.     149 

numbers  of  unhappy  wretches  still  struggling  with  the 
agonies  of  death.  We,  ourselves,  were  not  quite  out  of 
danger ;  it  was  not  impossible  but  that  one  of  the  flam- 
ing fragments  might  reach  us,  and  precipitate  our  frail 
vessel  to  the  bottom.  The  Almighty,  however,  preserv- 
ed us  from  that  misfortune;  but  what  a  spectacle  now 
presented  itself !  The  vessel  had  disappeared ;  its  frag- 
ments covered  the  sea  to  a  great  distance,  and  floated 
in  all  directions  with  our  unfortunate  companions,  whose 
despair  and  whose  lives,  had  been  terminated  together 
by  their  fall.  We  saw  some  completely  suffocated, 
others  mangled,  half  burned,  and  still  preserving  suffi- 
cient life  to  be  sensible  of  the  accumulated  horrors  of 
their  fate. 

Through  the  mercy  of  heaven,  I  retained  my  forti- 
tude, and  proposed  to  make  towards  theYragments  of  the 
wreck  to  seek  provisions,  and  to  pick  up  any  other  arti- 
cles we  might  want.  We  were  totally  unprovided,  and 
were  in  danger  of  perishing  with  famine ;  a  death  more 
tedious  and  more  painful  than  that  of  our  companions. 
We  found  several  barrels,  in  which  we  hoped  to  find 
a  resource  against  this  pressing  necessity,  but  discovered 
to  our  mortification  that  it  was  part  of  the  powder  which 
had  been  thrown  overboard  during  the  conflagration. 

Night  approached ;  but  we  providentially  found  a  cask 
of  brandy,  about  fifteen  pounds  of  salt  pork,  a  piece  of 
scarlet  cloth,  twenty  yards  of  linen,  a  dozen  of  pipe  staves, 
and  a  few  ropes.  It  grew  dark,  and  we  could  not  wait  till 
daylight  in  our  present  situation,  without  exposing 
ourselves  a  hundred  times  to  destruction  among  the 
fragments  of  the  wreck,  from  which  we  had  not  yet 
been  able  to  disengage  ourselves.  We  therefore  rowed 
away  from  them  as  speedily  as  possible,  in  order  to  at- 
tend to  the  equipment  of  our  new  vessel.  Every  one 
fell  to  work  with  the  utmost  assiduity ;  we  employed 
every  thing,  and  took  off  the  inner  sheathing  of  our  boat 
for  the  sake  of  the  planks  and  nails;  we  drew  from  the 
linen  what  thread  we  wanted ;  fortunately  one  of  the 
sailors  had  two  needles  ;  our  scarlet  cloth  served  us  for 
a  sail,  an  oar  for  a  mast,  and  a  plank  for  a  rudder, 
13* 


150  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

Notwithstanding  the  darkness,  our  equipment  was  in  a 
short  time  as  complete  as  circumstances  would  permit. 
The  only  difficulty  that  remained  was,  how  to  direct  our 
course;  we  had  neither  charts  nor  instruments,  and  were 
nearly  two  hundred  leagues  from  land.  We  resigned 
ourselves  to  the  mercy  of  the  Almighty,  whose  assistance 
we  implored  in  fervent  prayers. 

At  length  we  raised  our  •  sail,  and  a  favorable  wind 
removed  us  forever  from  the  floating  corpses  of  our  un- 
fortunate companions.  In  this  manner  we  proceeded 
eight  days  and  eight  nights,  without  perceiving  land, 
exposed  stark  nake(Tto  the  burning  rays  of  the  sun  by 
day,  and  to  intense  cold  by  night.  The  sixth  day,  a 
shower  of  rain  inspired  us  with  the  hope  of  some  relief 
from  the  thirst  by  which  we  were  tormented :  we  en- 
deavored to  catch  the  little  water  that  fell  in  our  mouths 
and  hands.  We  sucked  our  sail,  but  having  been  be- 
fore soaked  in  sea-water,  it  communicated  the  bitter  taste 
of  the  latter  to  the  rain  which  it  received.  If,  however, 
the  rain  had  been  more  violent,  it  might  have  abated  the 
wind  that  impelled  us,  and  a  calm  would  have  been  at- 
tended with  inevitable  destruction. 

That  we  might  steer  our  course  with  the  greater  cer- 
tainty, we  consulted,  every  day,  the  rising  and  setting  of 
the  sun  and  moon ;  and  the  stars  showed  us  what  wind 
we  ought  to  take. .  A  very  small  piece  of  salt  pork  fur- 
nished us  one  meal  in  the  twenty-four  hours  :  and  from 
even  this  we  were  obliged  to  desist  on  the  fourth  day,  on 
account  of  the  irritation  of  the  blood  which  it  occasion- 
ed. Our  only  beverage  was  a  glass  of  brandy,  from 
time  to  time ;  but  that  liquor  burned  our  stomachs  with- 
out allaying  our  thirst.  We  saw  abundance  of  flying- 
fish,  but  the  impossibility  of  catching  them  rendered  our 
misery  still  more  acute ;  we  were,  therefore,  obliged  to 
be  contented  with  our  provisions.  The  uncertainty  with 
respect  to  our  fate,  the  want  of  food,  and  the  agitation  of 
the  sea,  combined  to  deprive  us  of  rest,  and  almost 
plunged  us  into  despair.  Nature  seemed  to  have  aban- 
doned her  functions ;  a  feeble  ray  of  hope  alone  cheered 


LOSS  OP  THE  FRENCH  EAST  INDIAMAN  THE  PRINCE.   151 

our  minds  and  prevented  us  from  envying  the*-fate  of  our 
deceased  companions. 

I  passed  the  eighth  night  at  the  helm:  I  remained  at 
my  post  more  than  ten  hours,  frequently  desiring  to  be 
relieved,  till  at  length  I  sank  down  with  fatigue.  My 
miserable  comrades  were  equally  exhausted,  and  des- 
pair began  to  take  possession  of  our  souls.  At  last,  when 
just  perishing  with  fatigue,  misery,  hunger,  and  thirst, 
we  discovered  land,  by  the  first  rays  of  the  sun,  on 
Wednesday,  the  3d  of  August,  1752.  Only  those  who 
have  experienced  similar  misfortunes  can  form  an  ade- 
quate conception  of  the  change  Which  this  discovery 
produced  in  our  minds.  Our  strength  returned,  and  we 
took  precautions  not  to  be  carried  away  by  the  currents. 
At  two  P.  M.  we  reached  the  coast  of  Brazil,  and  enter- 
ed the  bay  of  Tresson,  in  latitude  six  degrees. 

Our  first  care,  upon  setting  foot  on  shore,  was  to  thank 
the  Almighty  for  his  favors ;  we  threw  ourselves  upon 
the  ground,  and,  in  the  transports  of  our  joy,  rolled  our- 
selves in  the  sand.  Our  appearance  was  truly  frightful, 
our  figures  preserved  nothing  human  that  did  not  more 
forcibly  announce  our  misfortunes.  Some  were  perfectly 
naked,  others  had  nothing  but  shirts  that  were  rotten 
and  torn  to  rags,  and  1  had  fastened  round  my  waist  a 
piece  of  scarlet  cloth,  in  order  to  appear  at  the  head  of 
my  companions.  We  had  not  yet,  however,  arrived  at 
the  end  of  all  our  hardships ;  although  rescued  from  the 
greatest  of  our  dangers,  that  of  an  uncertain  navigation, 
we  were  still  tormented  by  hunger  and  thirst,  and  in 
cruel  suspense,  whether  we  should  find  this  coast  inha- 
bited by  men  susceptible  of  sentiments  of  compassion. 

We  were  deliberating  which  way  we  should  direct 
our  course,  when  about  fifty  Portuguese,  most  of  whom 
were  armed,  advanced  towards  us,  and  inquired  the  rea- 
son of  our  landing.  The  recital  of  our  misfortunes  was 
a  sufficient  answer,  at  once  announced  our  wants,  and 
strongly  claimed  the  sacred  rights  of  hospitality.  Their 
treasures  were  not  the  object  of  our  desire,  the  neces- 
saries of  life  were  all  that  we  wanted.  Touched  by  our 
misfortunes,  they  blessed  the  power  that  had  preserved 


152  REMARKABLE  SHIPWRECKS. 

us,  and  hastened  to  conduct  us  to, their  habitations.  Up- 
on the  way  we  came  to  a  river,  into  which  all  my  com- 
panions ran  to  throw' themselves,  in  order  to  allay  their 
thirst ;  they  rolled  in  the  water  with  extreme  delight ; 
and  bathing  was  in  the  sequel  one  of  the  remedies  of 
which  we  made  the  most  frequent  use,  and  which,  at 
the  same  time,  contributed  most  to  the  restoration  of  our 
health. 

The  principal  person  of  the  place  came  and  conducted 
us  to  his  house,  about  half  a  league  distant  from  the 
place  of  our  landing.  Our  charitable  host  gave  us  linen 
shirts  and  trousers,  and  boiled  .some  fish,  the  water  of 
which  served  us  for  broth,  and  seemed  delicious.  After 
this  frugal  repast,  though  sleep  was  equally  necessary, 
yet  we  prepared  to  render  solemn  thanks  to  the  Al- 
mighty. Hearing  that,  at  the  distance  of  half  a  league, 
there  was  a  church  dedicated  to  St.  Michael,  we  repaired 
thither,  singing  praises  to  the  Lord,  while  we  presented 
the  homage  of  our  gratitude  to  Him  to  whom  we  were 
so  evidently  indebted  for  our  preservation.  The  badness 
of  the  road  had  fatigued  us  so  much  that  we  were  oblig- 
ed to  rest  in  the  village ;  our  ^misfortunes,  together  with 
such  an  edifying  spectacle,  drew  all  the  inhabitants 
around  us,  and  every  one  hastened  to  fetch  us  refresh- 
ments. After  resting  a  short  time,  we  returned  to  our 
kind  host,  who,  at  night,  furnished  us  with  another  re- 
past of  fresh  fish.  As  we  wanted  more  invigorating 
food,  we  purchased  an  ox,  which  we  had  in  exchange 
for  twenty-five  quarts  of  brandy. 

We  had  to  go  to  Paraibo,  a  journey  of  fifteen  leagues, 
barefoot,  and  without  any  hope  of  meeting  with  good 
provisions  on  the  way ;  we  therefore  took  the  precaution 
of  smoke-drying  our  meat,  and  added  to  it  a  provision  of 
flour.  After  resting  three  days,  we  departed  under  an 
escort  of  three  soldiers.  We  proceeded  seven  leagues 
the  first  day,  and  passed  the  night  at  the  house  of  a  man, 
who  received  us  kindly.  The  next  evening,  a  sergeant, 
accompanied  by  twenty-nine  soldiers,  came  to  meet  us 
for  the  purpose  of  conducting  and  presenting  us  to  the 
commandant  of  the  fortress ;  that  worthy  officer  received 


LOSS  OF  THE  FRENCH  EAST  INDIAMAN  THE  PRINCE.      153 

us  graciously,  gave  us  an  entertainment,  and  a  boat  to 
go  to  Paraibo.  It  was  midnight  when  we  arrived  at  that 
town ;  a  Portuguese  captain  was  waiting  to  present  us 
to  the  governor,  who  gave  us  a  gracious  reception,  and 
furnished  us  with  all  the  comforts  of  life.  We  there 
reposed  for  three  days,  but  being  desirous  of  reaching 
Fernambuc  to  take  advantage  of  a  Portuguese  fleet  that 
was  expected  to  sail  every  day,  in  order  to  return  to 
Europe,  the  governor  ordered  a  corporal  to  conduct  us 
thither.  My  feet  were  so  lacerated  that  I  could  scarcely 
stand,  and  a  horse  was  therefore  provided  for  me. 

At  length  after  a  journey  of  four  days,  we  entered  the 
town  of  Fernambuc.  My  first  business  was  to  go,  with 
my  people,  to  present  myself  to  the  general,  Joseph  de 
Correa,  who  condescended  to  give  me  an  audience ;  after 
which  Don  Francisco  Miguel,  a  captain  of  a  king's 
ship,  took  us  in  his  boat  to  procure  us  the  advantage  of 
saluting  the  admiral  of  the  fleet,  Don  Juan  d'Acosta  de 
Porito.  During  the  fifty  days  that  we  remained  at  Fer- 
nambuc that  gentleman  never  ceased  to  load  me  with 
new  favors  and  civilities.  His  generosity  extended  to 
all  my  companions  in  misfortune,  to  some  of  whom  he 
even  gave  appointments  in  the  vessels  of  his  fleet. 

On  the  fifth  of  October  we  set  sail,  and  arrived  with- 
out any  accident,  at  Lisbon,  on  the  17th  of  December. 
On  the  second  of  January,  our  consul,  M.  du  Vernay, 
procured  me  a  passage  in  a  vessel  bound  to  Morlaix. 
The  master  and  myself  went  on  board  together,  the  rest 
of  my  companions  being  distributed  among  other  ships. 
I  arrived  at  Morlaix  on  the  2d  of  February.  My  fatigues 
obliged  me  to  take  a  few  days  rest  in  that  place,  from 
whence  I  repaired  on  the  10th  to  1'Orient,  overwhelmed 
with  poverty,  having  lost  all  that  I  possessed  in  the 
world,  after  a  service  of  twenty-eight  years,  and  with 
my  health  greatly  impaired  by  the  hardships  I  had 
endured. 


LOSS  OF  HIS  MAJESTY'S  SHIP  PHOENIX, 

Off  the  Island  of  Cuba,  in  the  year  1780. 

THE  Phoenix,  of  forty-four  guns,  captain  Sir  Hyde 
Parker,  was  lost  in  a  hurricane,  off  Cuba,  in  the  year 
1780.  The  same  hurricane  destroyed  the  Thunderer, 
seventy-four;  Stirling  Castle,  sixty-four;  La  Blanche, 
forty-two;  Laurel,  twenty-eight;  Andromeda,  twenty- 
eight  ;  Deal  Castle,  twenty-four ;  Scarborough,  twenty ; 
Beaver's  Prize,  sixteen  ;  Barbadoes,  fourteen;  Cameleon, 
fourteen ;  Endeavor,  fourteen ;  and  Victor,  ten  guns. 
Lieutenant  Archer  was  first  lieutenant  of  the  Phoenix  at 
the  time  she  was  lost.  His  narrative  in  a  letter  to  his 
mother  contains  a  most  correct  and  animated  account 
of  one  of  the  most  awful  events  in  the  service.  It  is  so 
simple  and  natural  as  to  make  the  reader  feel  himself  on 
board  the  Phoenix.  Every  circumstance  is  detailed  with 
feeling,  and  powerful  appeals  are  continually  made  to 
the  heart.  It  must  likewise  afford  considerable  pleasure 
to  observe  the  devout  spirit  of  a  seaman  frequently  burst- 
ing forth,  and  imparting  sublimity  to  the  relation. 

At  sea,  June  30,  1780. 
MY  DEAREST  MADAM, 

I  am  now  going  to  give  you  an  account  of  our  last 
cruise  in  the  Phoenix ;  and  must  premise,  that  should 
"any  one  see  it  beside  yourself,  they  must  put  this  con- 
struction on  it — that  it  was  originally  intended  for  the 
eyes  of  a  mother,  and  a  mother  only,  as,  upon  that  sup- 
position, my  feelings  may  be  tolerated.  You  will  also 
meet  with  a  number  of  sea  terms,  which,  if  you  don't  un- 
derstand, why,  I  cannot  help  you,  as  I  am  unable  to 
give  a  sea  description  in  any  other  words. 


LOSS  OF  HIS  MAJESTY'S  SHIP  PHCENIX.  155 

To  begin  then:— On  the  2d  of  August,  1780,  we 
weighed  and  sailed  for  Port  Royal,  bound  fromPensacola, 
having  two  store-ships  under  convoy,  and  to  see  safe  in  ; 
then  cruise  off  the  Havannah,  and  in  the  gulf  of  Mexi- 
co, for  six  weeks.  In  a  few  days  we  made  the  two 
sandy  islands,  that  look  as  if  they  had  just  risen  out  of 
the  sea,  or  fallen  from  the  sky ;  inhabited  nevertheless, 
by  upwards  of  three  hundred  English,  who  get  their 
bread  by  catching  turtles  and  parrots,  and  raising  vege- 
tables, which  they  exchange  with  ships  that  pass,  for 
clothing  and  a  few  of  the  luxuries  of  life,  as  rum,  &c. 

About  the  12th  we  arrived  at  Pensacola,  without  any 
thing  remarkable  happening,  except  our  catching  a  vast 
quantity  of  fish,  sharks,  dolphins,  and  bonettos.  On  the 
13th  sailed  singly,  and  on  the  14th  had  a  very  heavy 
gale  of  wind  at  north,  right  off  the  land,  so  that  we  soon 
left  the  sweet  place,  Pensacola,  a  distance  astern.  We 
then  looked  into  the  Havannah,  saw  a  number  of  ships 
there,  and  knowing  that  some  of  them  were  bound  round 
the  bay,  we  cruised  in  the  track :  a  fortnight,  however, 
passed,  and  not  a  single  ship  hove  in  sight  to  cheer  our 
spirits.  We  then  took  a  turn  or  two  round  the  gulf,  but 
not  near  enough  to  be  seen  from  the  shore.  Vera  Cruz 
we  expected  would  have  made  us  happy,  but  the  same 
luck  still  continued;  day  followed  day,  and  no  sail. 
The  dollar  bag  began  to  grqw  a  little  bulky,  for  every 
one  had  lost  two  or  three  times,  and  no  one  had  won  : 
(this  was  a  small  gambling  party  entered  into  by  Sir 
Hyde  and  ourselves ;  every  one  put  a  dollar  into  a  bag, 
and  fixed  on  a  day  when  we  should  see  a  sail,  but  no 
two  persons  were  to  name  the  Same  day,  and  whoever 
guessed  right  first  was  to  have  the  bag.) 

Being  now  tired  of  our  situation,  and  glad  the  cruise 
was  almost  out,  for  we  found  the  navigation  very  dan- 
gerous, owing  to  unaccountable  currents ;  so  shaped  our 
course  for  cape  Antonio.  The  next  day  the  man  at 
the  mast-head,  at  about  one  o'clock  in  the  afternoon, 
called  out:  "  A  sail  upon  the  weather  bow!  Ha!  Ha! 
Mr.  Spaniard,  I  think  we  have  you  at  last.  Turn  out 


156  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 

all  hands !  make  sail.  All  hands  !  give  chase  !"  There 
was  scarcely  any  occasion  for  this  order,  for  the  sound 
of  a  sail  being  in  sight  flew  like  wildfire  through  the 
ship,  and  every  sail  was  set,  in  an  instant,  almost  before 
the  orders  were  given.  A  lieutenant  at  the  mast-head, 
with  a  spy  glass,  "  What  is  she  ?"  "A  large  ship  stud- 
ding athwart  right  before  the  wind.  P-o-r-t !  Keep  her 
away  !  set  the  studding  sails  ready !"  Up  comes  the 
little  doctor,  rubbing  his  hands ;  "  Ha !  Ha  !  I  have  won 
the  bag."  "  The  devil  take  you  and  the  bag ;  look, 
what 's  ahead  will  fill  all  our  bags."  Mast-head  again  ; 
"  Two  more  sail  on  the  larboard  beam  !"  "  Archer,  go 
up  and  see  what  you  can  make  of  them."  "  Upon  deck 
there ;  I  see  a  whole  fleet  of  .twenty  sail  coming  right 
before  the  wind."  "Confound  the  luck  of  it;  this  is 
some  convoy  or  other,  but  we  must  try  if  we  can  pick 
some  of  them  out."  "  Haul  down  the  studding  sails  ! 
Luff !  bring  her  to  the  wind  !  Let  us  see  what  we  can 
make  of  them." 

About  five  we  .got  pretty  near  them,  and  found  them 
to  be  twenty-six  sail  of  Spanish  merchantmen,  under 
convoy  of  three  line-of-battle  ships,  one  of  which  chased 
us ;  but  when  she  found  we  were  playing  with  her  (for 
the  old  Phosnix  had  heels)  she  left  chase,  and  joined  the 
convoy ;  which  they  drew  up  into  a  lump,  and  placed 
themselves  at  the  outside;  but  we  still  kept  smelling 
about  till  after  dark.  O,  for  the  Hector,  the  Albion,  and 
a  frigate,  and  we  should  take  the  whole  fleet  and  con- 
voy, worth  some  millions  !  About  eight  o'clock  per- 
ceived three  sail  at  some  distance  from  the  fleet ;  dashed 
in  between  them  and  gave  chase,  and  were  happy  to 
find  they  steered  from  the  fleet.  About  twelve,  came  up 
with  a  large  ship  of  twenty-six  guns.  "  Archer,  every 
man  to  his  quarters  !  run  the  lower  deck  guns  out,  and 
light  the  ship  up :  show  this  fellow  our  force ;  it  may 
prevent  his  firing  into  us  and  killing  a=  man  or  two." 
No  sooner  said  than  done.  "  Hoa,  the  ship  ahoy  !  lower 
your  sails,  and  bring  to  instantly,  or  I  '11  sink  you." 
Clatter,  clatter,  went  the  blocks,  and  away  flew  all  their 


LOSS  OP  HIS  MAJESTY'S  SHIP  PHCENIX.  157 

sails  in  proper  confusion.  "  What  ship  is  that?"  "  The 
Polly."  "  Whence  came  you  !"  "  From  Jamaica." 
"  Where  are  you  bound?"  "  To  New  York."  "  What 
ship  is  that  ?"  "  The  Phosnix."  Huzza,  three  times  by 
the  whole  ship's  company.  An  old  grum  fellow  of  a 
sailor  standing  close  by  me  :  "  O,  d— -n  your  three  cheers, 
we  took  you  to  be  something  else."  Upon  examination 
we  found  it  to  be  as  he  reported,  and  that  they  had  fall- 
en "in  with  the  Spanish  fleet  that  morning,  and  were 
Chased  the  whole  day,  and  that  nothing  saved  them  but 
our  stepping  in  between ;  for  the  Spaniards  took  us  for 
three  consorts,  and  the  Polly  took  the  Phoenix  for  a 
Spanish  frigate,  till  we  hailed  them.  The  other  vessels 
in  company  were  likewise  bound  to  New  York.  Thus 
was  I,  from  being  worth  thousands  in  idea,  reduced  to 
the  old  four  shillings  six-pence  again ;  for  the  little  doc- 
tor made  the  most  prize  money  of  us  all  that  day,  by 
winning  the  bag,  which  contained  between  thirty  and 
forty  dollars ;  but  this  is  nothing  to  what  we  sailors 
sometimes  undergo. 

After  parting  company,  we  steered  S.  S.  E.  to  go  round 
Antonio,  and  so  to  Jamaica,  (our  cruise  being  out,)  with 
our  fingers  in  our  mouths,  and  all  of  us  as  green  as  you 
please.  It  happened  to  be  my  middle  watch,  and  about 
three  o'clock,  when  the  man  upon  the  forecastle  bawls 
out  "Breakers  ahead,  and  land  upon  the  lee  bow;"  I 
looked  out,  and  it  was  so,  sure  enough.  "Ready  about, 
put  the  helm  down  !  Helm  a  lee  !"  Sir  Hyde  hearing 
me  put  the  ship  about,  jumped  upon  deck.  "Archer, 
what 's  the  matter  1  You  are  putting  the  ship  about 
without  my  orders!"  Sir,  'tis  time  to  go  about;  the 
ship  is  almost  ashore,  there  is  the  land.  "  Good  God, 
so  it  is  !  Will  the  ship  stay?"  Yes,  sir,  I  believe  she 
will,  if  we  don't  make  any  confusion ;  she  is  all  aback 
— forward  now?  "Well,  (says  he,)  work  the  ship,  I 
will  not  speak*,  single  word."  The  ship  stayed  very 
well.  Then  heave  the  lead  !  see  what  water  we  have  ! 
'  Three  fathom."  Keep  the  ship  away,  W.  N.  W. 
"  By  the  mark  three."  "  This  won't  do,  Archer."  No, 
sir,  we  had  better  haul  more  to  the  northward  ;  we  came 
14 


158  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 

S.  S.  E.  and  had  better  steer  N.  N.  W.  "Steady-,  'and 
a  quarter  three."  This  may  do,  we  deepen  a  little. 
"  By  the  deep  four."  Very  well,  my  lad,  heave  quick. 
"Five  fathom."  That's  a  fine  fellow!  another  cast 
nimbly.  "  Quarter  less  eight."  That  will  do,  come, 
we  shall  get  clear  bye  and  bye.  "  Mark  under  water 
five."  What's  that?  "  Only  five  fathom,  sir."  Turn 
all  hands  up,  bring  the  ship  to  an  anchor,  boy.  Are  the 
anchors  clear?  "  In  a  moment,  sir, — All  clear."  What 
water  have  you  in  the  chains  now  ?  "  Eight,  half  nine." 
Keep  fast  the  anchors  till  I  call  you.  "Aye,  aye,  sir,  all 
fast."  "I  have  no  ground  with  this  line."  How  many 
fathoms  have  you  out  1  pass  along  the  deep  sea-line  ! 
"Aye,  aye,  sir,."  Heave  away,  watch!  watch!  bear 
away,  veer  away.  "No  ground,  sir,  with  a  hundred 
fathom."  That 's  clever,  come,  Madame  Phoenix,  there 
is  another  squeak  in  you  yet — all  down  but  the  watch ; 
secure  the  anchors  again  ;  heave  the  main-top-sail  to  the 
mast ;  luff,  and  bring  her  to  the  wind  ! 

I  told  you,  Madam,  you  should  have  a  little  sea-jar- 
gon :  if  you  can  understand  half  of  what  is  already  said, 
I  wonder  at  it,  though  it  is  nothing  to  what  is  to  come 
yet,  when  the  old  hurricane  begins.  As  soon  as  the  ship 
was  a  little  to  rights,  and  all  quiet  again,  Sir  Hyde  came 
to  me  in  the  most  friendly  manner,  the  tears  almost 
starting  from  his  eyes — "  Archer,  we  ought  all  to  be 
much  obliged  to  you  forNthe  safety  of  the  ship,  and  per- 
haps of  ourselves.  I  am  particularly  so ;  nothing  but 
that  instantaneous  presence  of  mind  and  calmness  saved 
her ;  another  ship's  length  and  we  should  have  been 
fast  on  shore  ;  had  you  been  ;the  least  diffident,  or  made 
the  least  confusion,  so  as  to  make  the  ship  baulk  in  her 
stays,  she  must  have  been  inevitably  lost."  Sir,  you 
are  very  good,  but  I  have  done  nothing  that  I  suppose 
any  body  else  would  not  have  done,  in  the  same  situa- 
tion. I  did  not  turn  all  the  hands  up,  knowing  the 
watch  able  to  work  the  strip ;  besides,  had  it  spread  im- 
mediately about  the  ship  that  she  was  almost  ashore,  it 
might  have  created  a  confusion  that  was  better  avoided. 
"Well,"  says  he,  "  'tis  well  indeed." 


toss  OF  HIS  MAJESTY'S  SHIP-  PHCENIX.  159 

At  daylight  we  found  that  the  current  had  set  us  be- 
tween the  Colladora  rocks  and  cape  Antonio,  and  that 
we  could  not  have  got  out  any  other  way  than  we  did ; 
there  was  a  chance,  but  Providence  is  the  best  pilot. 
We  had  sunset  that  day  twenty  leagues  to  the  S.  E.  of 
our  reckoning  by  the  current. 

After  getting  clear  of  this  scrape,  we  thought  ourselves 
fortunate,  and  made  sail  for  Jamaica,  but  misfortune 
seemed  to  follow  misfortune.  The  next  night,  my 
watch  upon  deck  too,  we  were  overtaken  by  a  squall, 
like  a  hurricane  while  it  lasted ;  for  though  I  saw  it  com- 
ing, and  prepared  for  it,  yet,  when  it  took  the  ship,  it 
roared,  and  laid  her  down  so,  that  I  thought  she  would 
never  get  up  again.  However,  by  keeping  her  away, 
and  clueing  up  every  thing,  she  righted.  The  remainder 
of  the  night  we  had  very  heavy  squalls,  and  in  the  morn- 
ing found  the  main-mast  sprung  half  the  way  through : 
one  hundred  and  twenty-three  leagues  to  the  leeward  of 
Jamaica,  the  hurricane  months  coming  on,  the  head  of 
the  main-mast  almost  off,  and  at  a  short  allowance ;  well, 
we  must  make  the  best  of  it.  The  main-mast  was  well 
fished,  but  we  were  obliged  to  be  very  tender  of  carrying 
the  sail. 

No  thing -remarkable  happened  for  ten  days  afterwards, 
when  we  chased  a  Yankee  man-of-war  for  six  hours, 
but  could  not  get  near  enough  to  her  before  it  was  dark, 
to  keep  sight  of  her ;  so  that  we  lost  her  because  unable 
to  carry  any  sail  on  the  main-mast.  In  about  twelve 
days  more  made  the  island  of  Jamaica,  having  weather- 
ed all  the  squalls,  and  put  into  Montego  bay  for  water  * 
so  that  we  had  a  strong  party  for  kicking  up  a  dust  on 
shore,  having  found  three  men-of-war  lying  there. 
Dancing,  &c.  &c.,  till  two  o'clock  every  morning ;  little 
thinking  what  was  to  happen  in  four  days'  time :  for  out 
of  the  four  men-of-war  that  were  there,  not  one  was  in 
being  at  the  endnof  that  time,  and  not  a  soul  alive  but 
those  left  of  our  crew.  Many  of  the  houses  where  we 
had  been  so  merry,  were  so  completely  destroyed,  that 
scarcely  a  vestige  remained  to  mark  where  they  stood. 


160  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 

Thy  works  are  wonderful,  O  God !  praised  be  thy  holy 
name! 

September  the  30th,  weighed ;  bound  for  Port  Royal, 
round  the  eastward  of  the  island;  the  Barbadoes  and 
Victor  had  sailed  the  day  before,  and  the  Scarborough 
was  to  sail  the  next.  Moderate  weather  until  October 
the  2d.  Spoke  the  Barbadoes  off  Port  Antonio  in  the 
evening.  At  eleven  at  night  it  began  to  snuffle,  with  a 
monstrous  heavy  bill  from  the  eastward.  Close  reefed 
the  top-sails.  Sir  Hyde  sent  for  me:  "What  sort  of 
weather  have  we,  Archer !"  It  blows  a  little,  and  has  a 
very  ugly  look ;  if  in  any  other  quarter  but  this,  1  should 
say  we  were  going  to  have  a  gale  of  wind.  "  Aye,  it 
looks  so  very  often  here  when  there  is  no  wind  at  all ; 
however,  don't  hoist  the  top-sails  till  it  clears  a  little, 
there  is  no  trusting  any  country."  At  twelve  I  was  re- 
lieved ;  the  weather  had  the  same  rough  look  :  however, 
they  made  sail  upon  her,  but  had  a  very  dirty  night. 
At  eight  in  the  morning  I  came  up  again,  found  it  blow- 
ing hard  from  the  E.  N.  E.  with  close  reefed  top-sails 
upon  the  ship,  and  heavy  squalls  at  times.  Sir  Hyde 
came  upon  deck  :  "  Well,  Archer,  what  do  you  think  of 
it?"  O,  sir,  'tis  only  a  touch  of  the  times,  we  shall  have 
an  observation  at  twelve  o'clock ;  the  clouds  are  begin- 
ning to  break  ;  it  will  clear  up  at  noon,  or  else  blow  very 
hard  afterwards.  "I  wish  it  would  clear  up,  but  I 
doubt  it  much.  I  was  once  in  a  hurricane  in  the  East 
Indies,  and  the  beginning  of  it  had  much  the  same  ap- 
pearance as  this.  So  take  in  the  top-sails,  we  have 
plenty  of  sea-room." 

At  twelve,  the  gale  still  increasing,  wore  ship,  to  keep 
as  near  mid-channel,  between  Jamaica  and  Cuba,  as 
possible ;  at  one  the  gale  increasing  still ;  at  two  harder  ! 
Reefed  the  courses,  and  furled  them;  brought  to  under 
a  foul  mizzen  stay-sail,  head  to  the  northward.  In  the 
evening  no  sign  of  the  weather  taking  off,  but  every  ap- 
pearance of  the  storm  increasing,  prepared  for  a  proper 
gale  of  wind ;  secured  all  the  sails  with  spare  gaskets ; 
good  rolling  tackles  upon  the  yards ;  squared  the  booms ; 
saw  the  boats  all  made  fast ;  new  lashed  the  guns ; 


LOSS  OF  HIS  MAJESTY'S  SHI?  PHOENIX.  161 

double  breeched  the  lower  deckers ;  saw  that  the  carpen- 
ter&had  the  tarpaulins  and  battens  all  ready  for  the  hatch- 
ways ;  got  the  top-gallant-mast  down  upon  the  deck ; 
jib-boom  and  sprit-sail-yard  fore  ana  aft ;  in  fact,  did 
every  thing  we  could  think  of  to  make  a  snug  ship. 

The  poor  devils  of  birds  now  began  to  find  the  uproar 
in  the  elements,  for  numbers,  both  of  sea  and  land  kinds, 
came  on  board  of  us.  I  took  notice  of  some,  which  hap- 
pening to  be  to  leeward,  turned  to  windward,  like  a  ship, 
tack  and  tack ;  for  they  could  not  fly  against  it.  When 
they  came  over  the  ship  they  dashed  themselves  down 
upon  the  deck,  without  attempting  to  stir  till  picked  up, 
and  when  let  go  again,  they  would  not  leave  the  ship, 
but  endeavored  to  hide  themselves  from  the  wind. 

At  eight  o'clock  a  hurricane ;  the  sea  roaring,  but  the 
wind  still  steady  to, a  point;  did  not  ship  a  spoonful  of 
water.  However,  got  the  hatchways  all  secured,  ex- 
pecting what  would  be  the  consequence,  should  the  wind 
shift;  placed  the  carpenters  by  the  main-mast,  with 
broad  axes,  knowing,  from  experience,  that  at  the  mo- 
ment you  may  want  to  cut  it  away  to  save  the  ship,  an 
axe  may  not  be  found.  Went  to  supper  :  bread,  cheese, 
and  porter.  The  purser  frightened  out  of  his  wits  about 
his  bread  bags ;  the  two  marine .  officers  as  white  as 
sheets,  not  understanding  the  ship's  working  so  much, 
and  the  noise  of  the  lower  deck  guns ;  which,  by  this 
time,  made  a  pretty  screeching  to  the  people  not  used 
to  it ;  it  seemed  as  if  the  whole  ship's  side  was  going  at 
each  roll.  Wooden,  our  carpenter,  was  all  this  time 
smoking  his  pipe  and  laughing  at  the  doctor;  the  .se- 
cond lieutenant  upon  deck,  and  the  third  in  his  ham- 
mock. 

At  ten  o'clock  I  thought  to  get  a  little  sleep ;  came  to 
look  into  my  cot;  it  was  full  of  water;  for  every  seam, 
by  the  straining  of  the  ship,  had  begun  to  leak.  Stretch- 
ed myself,  therefore,  upon  deck,  between  two  chests,  and 
left  orders  to  be  called,  should  the  least  thing  happen. 
At  twelve  a  midshipman  came  to  me :  "  Mr.  Archer,  we 
are  just  going  to  wear  ship,  sir!"  O,  very  well,  I'll  be 
up  directly;  what  sort  of  weather  have  you  got?  "It 
14* 


162  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

blows  a  hurricane."  Went  upon  deck,  found  Sir  Hyde 
there.  "  It  blows  damn'd  hard,  Archer."  It  does  in- 
deed, sir.  "  I  don't  know  that  I  ever  remember  its  blow- 
ing so  hard  before ;  but  the  ship  makes  a  very  good  wea- 
ther of  it  upon  this  tack  as  she  bows  the  sea ;  but  we 
must  wear  her,  as  the  wind  has  shifted  to  the  S.  E.  and; 
we  "are  drawing  right  upon  Cuba;  so  do  you  go  for- 
ward, and  have  some  hands  stand  by;  loose  the  lee 
yard-arm  of  the  fore-sail,  and  when  she  is  right  before 
the  wind,  whip  the  clue  garnet  close  up,  and  roll  up  the 
sail."  Sir  !  there  is  no  canvas  can  stand  against  this  a 
moment ;  if  we  attempt  to  loose  him,  he  will  fly  into 
ribands  in  an  instant,  and  we  may  lose  three  or 
four  of  our  people ;  she  '11  wear  by  manning  the  fore 
shrouds.  "  O,  I  don't  think  she  will."  I'll  answer  for 
it,  sir ;  I  have  seen  it  tried  several  times  on  the  coast  of 
America  with  success.  "Well,  try  it;  if  she  does  not 
wear,  we  can  only  loose  the  fore-sail  afterwards."  This 
was  a  great  condescension  from  such  a  man  as  Sir  Hyde. 
However,  by  sending  about  two  hundred  people  into  the 
fore-rigging,  after  a  hard  struggle,  she  wore ;  found  she 
did  not  make  so  good  weather  on  this  tack  as  on  the 
other;  for  as  the  sea  began  to  run  across,  she  had  not 
time  to  rise  from  one  sea,  before  another  dashed  against 
her.  Began  to  think  we  should  lose  our  masts,  as  the 
ship  lay  very  much  along,  by  the  pressure  of  the  wind 
constantly  upon  the  yards  and  masts  alone  :  for  the  poor 
mizzen-stay-sail  had  gone  in  shreds  long  before,  and  the 
sails  began  to  fly  from  the  yards  through  the  gaskets 
into  coach  whips.  My  God !  to  think  that  the  wind 
could  have  such  force. 

Sir  Hyde  now  sent  me  to  see  what  was  the  matter 
between  decks,  as  there  was  a  good  deal  of  noise.  As 
soon  as  I  was  below,  one  of  the  Marine  officers  calls 
out:  "  Good  God  !  Mr.  Archer,  we  are  sinking,  the  wa- 
ter is  up  to  the  bottom  of  my  cot."  Pooh,  pooh  !  as  long 
as  it  is  not  over  your  mouth,  you  are  well  off;  what  the 
devil  do  you  make  this  noise  for  7  I  found  there  was 
some  water  between  decks,  but  nothing  to  be  alarmed 
at:  scuttled  the  deck,  and  it  ran  into  the  well;  found 


LOSS  OF  HIS  MAJESTY'S  SHIP  PHCENIX.  163 

she  made  a  good  deal  of  water  through  the  sides  and 
decks;  turned  the  watch  below  to  the  pumps,  though 
only  two  feet  of  water  in  the  well ;  but  expected  to  be 
kept  constantly  at  work  now,  as  the  ship  labored  much, 
with  scarcely  a  part  of  her  above  water  but  the  quarter- 
deck, and  that  but  seldom.  "  Come,  pump  away,  my 
boys.  Carpenters,  get  the  weather  chain-pump  rigged.' r 
"  All  ready,  sir.  Then  man  it,  and  keep  both  pumps 
going." 

At  two  o'clock  the  chain  pump  was  choked ;  set  the 
carpenters  at  work  to  clear  it ;  the  two  head  pumps  at 
work  upon  deck :  the  ship  gained  upon  us  while  our 
chain-pumps  were  idle ;  in  a  quarter  of  an  hour  they 
were  at  work  again,  and  we  began  to  gain  upon  her. 
While  T  was  standing  at  the  pumps,  cheering  the  people, 
the  carpenter's  mate  came  running  to  me  with  a  faoe  as 
long  as  my  arm :  "  O,  sir !  the  ship  has  sprung  a  leak  in 
the  gunner's  room."  Go,  then,  and  tell  the  carpenter  to 
come  to  me,  but  do  not  speak  a  word  to  any  one  else. 
Mr.  Goodinoh,  I  am  told  there  is  a  leak  in  the  gunner's 
room ;  go  and  see  what  is  the  matter,  but  do  not  alarm 
any  body,  and  come  and  make  your  report  privately  to 
me.  In  a  short  time  he  returned  ;  "  Sir,  there  is  nothing 
there,  it  is  only  the  water  washing  up  between  the  tim- 
bers, that  this  booby  has  taken  for  a  leak."  O,  very 
well ;  go  upon  deck  and  see  if  you  can  keep  any  of  the 
water  from  washing  down  below.  Sir,  I  have  had  four 
people  constantly  keeping  the .  hatchways  secure,  but 
there  is  such  a  weight. of  water  upon  the  deck  that  no- 
body can  stand  it  when  the  ship  rolls.  The  gunner 
soon  afterwards  came  to  me,  saying,  "  Mr.  Archer,  I 
should  be  glad  if  you  would  step  this  way  into  the 
magazine  for  a  moment."  I  thought  some  damned  thing 
was  the  matter,  and  ran  directly.  .  Well,  what  is  the 
matter  here  ?  He  answered,  "  The  ground  tier  of  powder 
is  spoiled,  and  I  want  to  show  you  that  it  is  not  out  of 
carelessness  in  me  in  stowing  it,  for  no  powder  in  the 
world  could  be  better  stowed.  Now,  sir,  what  am  I  to 
do  ?  If  you  do  not  speak  to  Sir  Hyde,  he  will  be  angry 
with  me."  I  could  not  forbear  smiling  to  see  how  easy 


'  164  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 

he  took  the  danger  of  the  ship,  and  said  to  him,  let  us 
shake  off  this  gale  of  wind  first,  and  talk  of  the  damaged 
powder  afterwards. 

At  four,  we  had  gained  upon  the  ship  a  little,  and  I 
went  upon  deck,  it  being  my  watch.     The  second  lieu- 
tenant relieved  me  at  the  pumps.     Who  can  attempt  to 
describe  the  appearance  of  things  upon  deck  1    If  I  was 
to  write  forever,  I  could  not  give  you  an  idea  of  it — a  to- 
tal darkness  all  above;  the  sea  on  fire,  running  as  it 
were  in  Alps,  or  Peaks  of  Teneriffe  ;  (mountains  are  too 
common  an  idea;)  the  wind  roaring  louder  than  thunder, 
(absolutely  no  flight  of  imagination,)  the  whole  made 
more  terrible,  if  possible,  by  a  very  uncommon  kind  of 
blue  lightning ;  the  poor  ship  was  very  much  pressed, 
yet  doing  what  she  could,  shaking  her  sides,  and  groan- 
ing at  every  stroke.     Sir  Hyde   upon  deck,  lashed  to 
windward  !  I  soon  lashed  myself  alongside  of  him,  and 
told  him  the  situation  of  things  below,  saying  the  ship 
did  not  make  more  water  than  might  be  expected  in 
such  weather,  and  that  I  was  only  afraid  of  a  gun  break- 
ing loose.     "  I  am  not  in  the  least  afraid  of  that ;  I  have 
commanded  her  six  years,  and  have  had  many  a  gale  of 
wind  in  her;  so  that  her  iron  work,  which  always  gives 
way  first,  is  pretty  well  tried.     Hold  fast !  that  was  an 
ugly  sea ;  we  must  lower  the  yards,  I  believe,  Archer ; 
the  ship  is  much  pressed."     If  we  attempt  it,  sir,  we 
shall  .Jose  them,  for  a  man  aloft  can  do  nothing;  besides, 
their  being  down  would  ease  the  ship  very  little ;  the 
main-mast  is  'a  sprung  mast ;  I  wish  it  was  overboard 
without  carrying  any. thing  else  along  with  it;  but  that 
i  can  soon  be  done,  the  gale  cannot  last  forever  ;  'it  will  soon 
be  daylight  now.     Found  by  the  master's  watcJFthat  it 
was  five  o'clock,  though  but  a  little  after  four  by  ours  :  ' 
glad  it  was  so  near  daylight,  and  looked  for  it  with 
much   anxiety.      Cuba,    thou   art  much   in  our   way! 
Another  ugly  sea;  sent,  a  midshipman  to   bring  nexvs 
from  the  pumps ;  the  ship  was  gaining  on  them  very 
much,   for  they  had  broken  one  of  their  chains,  but  it 
was  almost  mended  again.     News  from  the  pump  again. 
"  She  still  gains !  a  heavy  lee  !"     Back  water  from  the 


LOSS  OF  HIS  MAJESTY'S  SHIP  PHCENIX.  165 

leeward,  half  way  up  the  quarter  deck ;  filled  one  of  the 
cutters  upon  the  booms,  and  tore  her  alL  to  pieces ;  the 
ship  lying  almost  on  her  beam-ends,  and  not  attempting 
to  right  again.  Word  from  below  that  the  ship  still 
gained  on  them,  as  they  could  not  stand  to  the  pumps, 
she  lay  so  mueh  along.  I  said  to  Sir  Hyde : — This  is 
no  time,  sir,  to  think  of  saving,  the  masts  ;  shall  we  cut 
the  main-mast  away?  "  Aye  !  as  fast  as  you  can."  I 
accordingly  went  into  the  weather  chains  with  a  pole 
ax,  to  cut  away  the  lanyards ;  the  boatswain  went  to  lee- 
ward, and  the  carpenters  stood  by  the  mast.  We  were- 
all  ready,  and  a  very  violent  sea  broke  right  on  board  of 
us,  carried  every  thing  upon  deck  away,  rilled  the  ship 
with  water,  the  main  and  mizzen-masts  went,  the  ship 
righted,  but  was  in  the  last  struggle  of  sinking  under  us. 
As  soon  as  we  could  shake  our  heads  above  waterr 
Sir  Hyde  exclaimed,  "  We  are  gone,  a$  last,  Archer  ! 
foundered  at  sea !"  Yes,  sir,  farewell,  and  the  Lord 
haye  mercy  upon  us !  I  then  turned  about  to  look  at 
the  ship ;  and  thought  she  was  struggling  to  get  rid  of 
some  of  the  water ;  but  all  in  vain,  she  was  almost  full 
below.  "  Almighty  God !  I  thank  thee,  that  now  I  am 
leaving  this  world,  which  I  have  always  considered  as 
only  a  passage  to  a  better,  1  die  with  a  full  hope  of  thy 
mercies  through  th&  merits  of  Jesus  Christ,  thy  Son,  our 
Savior  !" 

I  then  felt  sorry  that  I  could  swim,  as  by  that  means 
[  might  be  a  quarter  of  an  hour  longer  dying  than  a  man 
who  could  not,  and  it  is  impossible  to  divest  ourselves 
of  a  wish  to  preserve  life.  At  the  end  of  these  reflections 
I  thought  I  heard  the  ship  thump  and  grinding  under 
our  feet ;  it  was  so.  Sir,  the  ship  is  ashore !  "  What 
do  you  say?"  The  ship  is  ashore,  and  we  may  save 
ourselves  yet !  By  this  time  the  quarter-deck  was  full 
of  men  who  had  come  up  from  below ;  and  the  Lord 
have  marcy  upon  us,  flying  about  from  all  quarters. 
The  ship  now  made  every  body  sensible  that  she  was 
ashore,  for  every  stroke  threatened  a  total  dissolution 
of  her  whole  frame ;  found  she  was  stern  ashore,  and 
the  bow  broke  the  sea  a  good  deal,  though  it  was  wash- 


166  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS, 

ing  clean  over  at  every  stroke.  Sir  Hyde  cried  out : 
"Keep  to  the  quarter-deck,  my  lads,  when  she  goes  to 
pieces,  it  is  your  best  chance  !"  Providentially  got  the 
fore-mast  cut  away,  that  she  might  not  pay  round  broad- 
side. Lost  five  men.  cutting  away  the  foremast,  by  the 
breaking  of  a  sea  on  board  just  as  the  mast  went.  That 
was  nothing ;  every  one  expected  it  would  be  his  own 
fate  next ;  looked  for  daybreak  with  the  greatest  impa- 
tience. At  last  it  came;  but  what  a  scene  did  it  show 
us  !  The  ship  upon  a  bed  of  rocks,  mountains  of  them  on 
one  side,  and  Cordilleras  of  water  on  the  other  ;  our  poor 
ship  grinding  and  crying  out  at  every  stroke  between 
them ;  going  away  by  piece-meal.  However,  to  show 
the  unaccountable  workings  of  Providence,  that  which 
often  appears  to  be  the  greatest  evil,  proves  to  be  the 
greatest  good  !  That  unmerciful  sea  lifted  and  beat  us 
up  so  high  am$ng  the  rocks,  that  at  last  the  ship  scarcely 
moved.  She  was  very  strong,  and  did  not  go  to  pieces 
at  the  first  thumping,  though  her  decks  tumbled  in. 
We  found  afterwards  that  she  had  beat  over  a  ledge  of 
rocks,  almost  a  quarter  of  a  mile  in  extent  beyond  us, 
where  if  she  had  struck,  every  soul  of  us  must  have  pe- 
rished. 

I  now  began  to  think  of  getting  on  shore,  so  stripped 
off  my  coat  and  shoes  for  a  swim,  and  looked  for  a 
line  to  carry  the  end  with  me.  Luckily  could  not  find 
<?ne,  which  gave  me  time  for  recollection  :  "  This  won't 
do  for  me,  to  be  the  first  man  out  of  the  ship,  and  first 
lieutenant ;  we  may  get  to  England  again,  and  people 
may  think  I  paid  a  great  deal  of  attention  to  myself,  and 
did  not  care  for  any  body  else.  No,  that  won't  do;  in- 
stead of  being  the  first,  I'll  see  every  man,  sick  and  well, 
out  of  her  before  me." 

I  now  thought  there  was  no  probability  of  the  ship's 
soon  going  to  pieces,  therefore  had  not  a  thought  of  in- 
"stant  death  ;  took  a  look  round  with  a  kind  of  philo- 
sophic eye,  to  see  how  the  same  situation  affected  my 
companions,  and  was  surprised  to  find  the  most  swag- 
gering, swearing  bullies  .in  fine  weather,  now  the  most 
pitiful  wretches  on  earth,  when  death  appeared  before 


Loss  OF  HIS  MAJESTY'S  SHIP  PHCENIX.  167 

them.  However,  two  got  safe ;  by  which  means,  with 
a  line.,  we  got  a  hawser  on  shore,  and  made  fast  to  the 
rocks,  upon  which  many  ventured  and  arrived  safely. 
There  were  some  sick  and  wounded  on  board,  who 
could  not  avail  themselves  of  this  method ;  we  there- 
fore got  a  spare  top-sail-yard  from  the  chains  and  placed 
one  end  ashore  and  the  other  on  the  cabin  window,  so 
that  most  of  the  sick  got  ashore  this  way. 

As  I  had  determined,  so  I  was  the  last  man  out  of  the' 
ship  ;  this  was  about  ten  o'clock.  The  gale  now  began 
to  break.  Sir  Hyde  came  to  me,  and  taking  me  by  the 
hand  was  so  affected  that  he  was  scarcely  able  to  speak. 
"  Archer,  I  am  happy  beyond  expression  to  see  you  on 
the  shore ;  but  look  at  our  poor  Phosnix  !'  I  turned 
about,  but  could  not  say  a  single  word,  being  too  full: 
my  mind  had  been  too  intensely  occupied  before ;  but 
every- thing  now  rushed  upon  me  at  once,1so  that  I  could 
not  contain  myself,  and  I  indulged  for  a  full  quarter  of 
an  hour. 

By  txvelve  it  was  pretty  moderate  ;  got  some  nails  on 
shore  and  made  tents  ;  found  great  quantities  of  fish 
driven  up  by  the  sea  into  holes  of  the  rocks ;  knocked 
Up  a  fire,  and  had  a  most  comfortable  dinner.  In  the 
afternoon  made  a  stage  from  the  cabin  windows  to  the 
rocks,  and  got  out  some  provisions  and  water,  lest  the 
ship  should  go  to  pieces,  in  which  case  we  must  all  have 
perished  of  hunger  and  thirst;  for  we  were  upon  a  deso- 
late part  of  the  coast,  and  under  a  rocky  mountain,  that 
could  not  supply  us  with  a  single  drop  of  water. 

Slept  comfortably  this  night,  and  the  next  day ;  the 
idea  of  death  vanishing  by  degrees,  the  prospect  of  being 
prisoners,  during  the  war,  at  the  Havannah,  and  walk- 
ing three  hundred  miles  to  it  through  the  woods,  was 
rather  unpleasant.  However,  to  save  life  for  the  present, 
we  employed  this  day  in  getting  more  provisions  and 
•water  on  shore,  which  was  not  an  easy  matter,  on  ac- 
count of  decks,  guns,  and  rubbish,  and  ten  feet  water 
that  lay  over-  them.  In  the  evening  I  proposed  to  Sir 
Hyde  to  repair  the  remains  of  the  only  boat  left,  and  to 
venture  in  hef  to  Jamaica  myself;  and  in  case  I  arrived 


168  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

safe,  to  bring  vessels  to  take  them  all  off;  a  proposal 
Worthy  of  consideration.  It  was  hext  day  agreed  to ; 
therefore,  got  the  cutter  on  shore,  and  set  the  carpenters 
to  work  on  her ;  in  two  days  she  was  ready,  and  at  four 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  I  embarked  with  four  volunteers 
and  a  fortnight's  provision  ;  hoisted  English  colors  as 
we  put  off  from  shore,  and  received  three  cheers  from 
the  lads  left  behind,  and  set  sail  with  a  light  heart ;  hav- 
ing not  the  least  doubt,  that,  with  God's  assistance,  we 
should  come  and  bring  them  all  off.  Had  a  very  squally 
night,  and  a  very  leaky  boat,  so  as  to  keep  two  buckets 
constantly  baling.  Steered  her,  myself,  the  whole  night 
by  the  stars,  and  in  the  morning  saw  the  coast  of  Jamai- 
ca, distant  twelve  leagues.  At  eight  in  the  evening,  ar- 
rived at  Montego  bay. 

I  must  now  begin  to  leave  off,  particularly  aS  I  have 
but  half  an  hour  to  conclude  ;  else  my  pretty  little  short 
letter  will  lose  its  passage,  which  I  should  not  like,  after 
being  ten  days,  at  different  times,  writing  it;  beating  up 
with  the  convoy  to  the  northward,  which  is  a  reason 
that  this  epistle  will  never  read  well;  for  I  never  sat 
down  with  a  proper  disposition  to  go  on  with  it ;  but  as 
I  knew  something  of  the  kind  would  please  you,  I  was 
resolved  to  finish  it :  yet  it  will  not  bear  an  overhaul  ; 
so  do  not  expose  your  son's  nonsense. 

But  to  proceed — I  instantly  sent  off  an  express  to  the 
Admiral,  another  to  the  Porcupine  man-of-war,  and  went 
myself  to  Martha  Bray  to  get  vessels ;  for  all  their  ves- 
sels here,  as  well  as  many  of  their  horses,  were  gone  to 
Moco.  Got  three  small  vessels,  and  set  out  back  again 
to  Cuba,  where  I  arrived  the  fourth  day  after  leaving  my 
companions.  I  thought  the  ship's  crew  would  have  de- 
voured me  on  my  landing ;  they  presently  whisked  me 
up  on  their  shoulders,  and  carried  me  to  the  tent ;  where 
Sir  Hyde  was. 

I  must  omit  many  little  occurrences  that  happened  on 
shore,  for  want  of  time ;  but  I  shall  have  a  number  of 
stories  to  tell,  when  I  get  alongside  of  you ;  and  the  next 
time  I  visit  you,  I  shall  not  be  in  such  a  hurry  to  quit 
you  as  I  was  the  last,  for  then  I  hoped  flay  nest  would 


LOSS  OF  HIS  MAJESTY'S  SHIP  LA  TRIBUNE.  169 

have  been  pretty  well  feathered : — But  my  tale  is  for- 
gotten. 

I  found  the  Porcupine  had  arrived  that  day,  and  the 
lads  had  built  a  boat  almost  ready  for  launching,  that 
\vould  hold  fifty  of  them,  which  was  intended  for  another 
trial,  in  case  I  had  foundered.  Next  day,  embarked  all 
our  people  that  were  left,  amounting  to  two  hundred  and 
fifty ;  for  some  had  dred  of  the  wounds  they  received 
in  getting  on  shore ;  others  of  drinking  rurn,  and  others 
had  straggled  into  the  country.  All  our  vessels  were  so 
full  of  people,  that  we  could  not  take  away  the  few 
clothes  that  were  saved  from  the  wreck ;  but  that  was 
a  trifle  since  we  had  preserved  our  lives  and  liberty. 
To  make  short  of  my  story,  we  all  arrived  safe  at  Mon- 
tego  bay,  and  shortly  after  at  Port  Royal,  in  the  Janus, 
which  was  sent  on  purpose  for  us,  and  were  all  honora- 
bly acquitted  for  the  loss  of  the  ship.  I  was  made  ad- 
miral's aid  de  camp,  and  a  little  time  afterwards  sent 
down  to  St.  Juan  as  a  captain  of  the  Resource,  to  bring 
what  were  left  of  the  poor  devils  to  Blue  Fields,  on  the 
Musquito  shore,  and  then  to  Jamaica,  where  they  arriv- 
ed after  three  months  absence,  and  without  a  prize, 
though  I  looked  out  hard  off  Porto  Bello  and  Carthage- 
na.  Found,  in  my  absence,  that  I  had  been  appointed 
captain  of  the  Tobago,  where  I  remain  his  majesty's 
most  true  and  faithful  servant,  and  my  dear  mother's 
most  dutiful  son.  ,  ARCHER. 


LOSS  OF  HIS  MAJESTY'S  SHIP  LA  TRIBUNE, 

Off  Halifax ,  (Nova  Scotia,)  November,  1797, 

LA  Tribune  was  one  of  the  finest  frigates  in  his  ma- 
jesty's navy ;  mounted  forty-four  guns,  and  had  recently 
been  taken  from  the  French  by  captain  Williams,  in  the 
Unicorn  frigate.  She  was  commanded  by  captain  S. 
Barker  ;  on  the  22d  of  September,  1797,  sailed  from  Tor- 
bay,  as  convoy  to  the  Quebec  and  Newfoundland  fleets. 
15 


170  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

In  latitude  forty-nine  degrees,  fourteen  minutes,  longi- 
tude seventeen  degrees  twenty-two  minutes  she  fell  in 
with  and  spoke  his  majesty's  ship  Experiment,  from 
Halifax;  and  lost  sight  of  all  her  convoy  on  the  10th  of 
October,  in  latitude  seventy-four  degrees  sixteen  minutes, 
Hongitude  thirty-two  degrees  eleven  minutes. 

About  eight  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  following 
Thursday,  they  came  in  sight  of  the  harbor  of  Halifax, 
and  approached  it  very  fast,  with  an  E.  S.  E.  wind, 
when  captain  Barker  proposed  to  the  master  to  lay  the 
ship  to,  till  they  could  procure  a  pilot.  The  master  re- 
plied, that  he  had  beat  a  forty-four  gun  ship  into  the  har- 
bor, that  he  had  frequently  been  there,  and  there  was  no 
occasion  for  a  pilot,  as  the  wind  was  favorable.  Con- 
fiding in  these  assurances,  captain  Barker  went  into  his 
cabin,  where  he  was  employed  in  arranging  some  papers 
which  he  intended  to  take  on  shore  with  him.  In  the 
mean  time,  the  master,  placing  great  dependence  on  the 
judgment  of  a  negro,  named  John  Cosey,  who  had  for- 
merly belonged  to  Halifax,  took  upon  himself  the  pilot- 
age of  the  ship.  By  twelve  o'clock,  the  ship  had  ap- 
proached so  near  Thrum  Cap  shoals,  that  the  master 
became  alarmed,  and  sent  for  Mr.  Galvin,  master's  mate, 
who  was  sick  below.  On  his  coming  upon  deck,  he 
heard  the  man  in  the  chains  sing  out,  "by  the  mark 
five !"  the  black  man  forward  at  the  same  time  crying, 
"  steady  !"  Galvin  got  on  one  of  the  carronades  to  ob- 
serve the  situation  of  the  ship  ;  the  master  ran,  in  great 
agitation,  to  the  wheel,  and  took  it  from  the  man  who 
was  steering,  with  the  intention  of  wearing  the  ship ; 
but  before  this  could  be  effected,  or  Galvin  was  able  to 
give  an  opinion,  she  struck.  Captain  Barker  immedi- 
ately went  on  deck  and  reproached  the  master  with  hav- 
ing lost  the  ship.  Seeing  Galvin  likewise  on  deck,  he  ad- 
dressed him,  and  said,  "  that,  knowing  he  had  formerly 
sailed  out  of  the  harbor,  he  was  surprised  he  could 
stand  by  and  see  the  master  run  the  ship  on  shore;"  to 
which  Galvin  replied,  "that  he  had  not  been  on  deck 
long  enough  to  give  an  opinion." 

Signals  of  distress  were  instantly  made,  and  answer- 


LOSS  OF  HIS  MAJESTY'S  SHIP  LA  TRIBUNE.  171 

ed  by  military  posts  and  ships  in  the  harbor,  from  which, 
as  well  as  the  dock-yard,  boats  immediatety  put  off  to 
the  relief  of  the  Tribune.  The  military  boats,  and  one 
of  those  from  the  dock  yard,  with  Mr.  Rackum,  boat- 
swain of  the  Ordinary,  reached  the  ship,  but  the  wind 
was  so  much  against  the  others,  that,  in  spite  of  all  their 
exertions,  they  were  unable  to  get  on  board.  The  ship 
was  immediately  lightened,  by  throwing  overboard  all 
her  guns,  excepting  one  retained  for  signals,  and  every 
other  heavy  article,  so  that  about  half  past  eight  o'clock 
in  the  evening,  the  ship  began  to  heave,  and  at  nine,  got 
off  the  shoals.  She  had  lost  her  rudder  about  three 
hours  before,  and  it  was  now  found,  on  examination, 
that  she  had  seven  feet  of  water  in  her  hold.  The  chain- 
pumps  were  immediately  manned,  and  such  exertions 
were  made,  that  they  seemed  to  gain  on  the  leaks. 
By  the  advice  of  Mr.  Rackum,  the  captain  ordered  the 
best  bower  anchor  to  be  let  go,  but  this  did  not  bring  her 
up.  He  then  ordered  the  cable  to  be  cut ;  and  the  jib 
and  fore  top-mast  stay-sail  were  hoisted  to  steer  by. 
During  this  interval  a  violent  gale,  which  had  come  on 
at  S.  E.,  kept  increasing,  and  carrying  the  ship  to  the 
western  shore.  The  small  bower  anchor  was  soon  af- 
terwards let  go :  at  which  time  they  found  themselves 
in  thirteen  fathom  water,  and  the  mizzen-mast  was  then 
cut  away. 

It  was  now  ten  o'clock,  and  as  the  water  gained  fast 
upon  them,  the  crew  had  but  little  hope  left  of  saving 
either  the  ship  or  their  lives.  At  this  critical  period, 
lieutenant  Campbell  quitted  the  ship,  and  lieutenant 
North  was  taken  into  the  boat,  out  of  one  of  the  ports. 
From  the  moment  at  which  the  former  left  the  vessel,  all 
hopes  of  safety  had  vanished  ;  the  ship  was  sinking  fast, 
the  storm  was  increasing  with  redoubled  violence,  and 
the  rocky  shore  which  they  were  approaching,  resound- 
ing with  the  tremendous  noise  of  the  rolling  billows, 
presented  nothing  to  those  who  might  survive  the  loss 
of  the  ship,  but  the  expectation  of  a  more  painful  death, 
by  being  dashed  against  precipices,  which,  even  in  the 
calmest  day,  it  is  impossible  to  ascend.  Dunlap,  ono 


172  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 

of  the  survivors,  declared,  that  about  half  past  ten,  as 
nearly  as  he  could  conjecture,  one  of  the  men  who  had 
been  below,  came  to  him  on  the  forecastle,  and  told 
him  it  was  all  over.  A  few  minutes  afterwards,  the  ship 
took  a  lurch,  like  a  boat  nearly  rilled  with  water  and 
going  down;  on  which  Dunlap  immediately  began  to 
>  ascend  the  fore-shrouds,  and  at  the  same  moment  cast- 
ing his  eyes  towards  the  quarter-deck,  he  saw  captain 
Barker  standing  by  the  gangway,  'and  looking  into  the 
water,  and  directly  afterwards  he  heard  him  call  for  the 
jolly-boat.  He  then  saw  the  lieutenant  of  marines  run- 
ning towards  the  taffrel.  to  -look,  as  he  supposed,  for  the 
jolly-boat,  which  had  been  previously  let  down  with 
men  in  her ;  but  the  ship  instantly  took  a  second  lurch 
and  sank  to  the  bottom,  after  which  neither  the  captain 
nor  any  of  the  other  officers  were  again  seen. 

The  scene,  before  sufficiently  distressing,  now  became 
peculiarly  awful.  More  than  two  hundred  and  forty 
men,  besides  several  women  and  children,  wer-e  floating 
on  the  waves,  making  the  last  effort  to  preserve  life. 
Dunlap,  who  has  been  already  mentioned,  gained  the 
fore-top.  Mr.  Galvin,  the  master's  mate,  with  incredible 
difficulty,  got  into  the  main-top.  He  was  below,  when 
the  ship  sank,  directing  the  men  at  the  chain-pump,  but 
was  washed  up  the  hatchway,  thrown" into  the  waist, 
and  from  thence  into  the  water,  and  his  feet,  as  he  plung- 
ed, struck  against  a  rock.  On  ascending  he  swam  to 
gain  the  main-shrouds,  when  three  men  suddenly  seized 
hold  o£him.  He  now  gave  himself  up  for  lost ;  but  to 
disengage  himself  from  them  he  made  a  dive  into  the 
water,  which  caused  them  to  quit  their  grasp.  On  rising 
again  lie  swam** to  the  shrouds,  and  having  reached  the 
main-top,  seated  himself  on  an  arm  chest  which  was 
lashed  to  the  mast. 

From  the  observations  of  Galvin,  in  the  main-top,  and 
Dunlap,  in  the  fore-top,  it  appears  that  nearly  one  hun- 
dred persons  were  hanging  for  a  considerable  time,  to  the 
shrouds,  the  tops,  and  other  parts  of  the  wreck.  From 
the  length  of  the  night,  and  the  severity  of  the  storm, 
nature,  however,  became  exhausted,  and  during  the 


LOSS  OF  HIS  MAJESTY'S  SHIP  LA  TRIBUNE.  173 

whole  night,  they  kept  dropping  off  and  disappearing. 
The  cries  and  groans  of  the  unhappy  sufferers,  from  the 
bruises  many  of  them  had  received,  and  their  hopes  of 
deliverance  beginning  to  fail,  were  continued  through 
the  night ;  but  as  morning  approached,  in  consequence 
of  the  few  who  then  survived,  they  became  extremely 
feeble. 

About  twelve  o'clock,  the  main-mast  gave  way ;  at 
that  time  there  were,  on  the  main-top  and  shrouds,  about 
forty  persons.  By  the  fall  of  the  mast  the  whole  of 
these  unhappy  wretches  were  again  plunged  into  the 
water,  and  ten  only  regained  the  top,  which  rested  on 
the  main  yard,  and  the  whole  remained  fast  to  the  ship 
by  some  of  the  rigging.  Of  the  ten,  who  thus  reached 
the  top,  four  only  were  alive  when  morning  appeared. 
Ten  were  at  that  time  alive  on  the  fore-top,  but  three 
were  so  exhausted,  and  so  helpless^  that  they  were 
washed  away  before  any  relief  arrived ;  three  others  pe- 
rished, and  thu|  only  four  were,  at  last,  left  alive  on  the 
fore-top. 

The  place,  where  the  ship  went  down,  was  barely 
three  times  her  length  to  the  southward,  of  the  entrance 
into  Herring  Cove.  The  inhabitants  came  down  in  the 
night,  to  the  point  opposite  to  which  the  ship  sank,  kept 
up  large  fires,  and  were  so  near  as  to  converse  with  the 
people  on  the  wreck. 

'jJie  first  exertion  that  was  made  for  their  relief  was 
by  aboy  thirteen  years  old,  from  Herring  Cove,  who 
ventured  off  in  a  small  skiff -by  himself  about  eleven 
o'clock,  the  next  day.  This  youth,  with  great  labor  and 
extreme  risk  to  himself,  boldly  approached  the  wreck, 
and  backed  in  his  little  boat  so  near  to v  the  fore-top,  as 
to  take  off  two  of  the  men,  for  the  boat  could  not,  with 
safety,  hold  any  more.  And  here  a  trait  of  generous 
magnanimity  was  exhibited,  which  ought  not  to  pass 
unnoticed.  Dunlap  and  another  man,  named  Monro, 
had,  throughout  this  disastrous  night,  preserved  their 
strength  and  spirits  in  a  greater  degree,  than  their  un- 
fortunate companions,  whom  they  endeavored  to  cheer 
and  encourage  when  they  found  their  spirits  sinking. 


174  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

Upon  the  arrival  of  the  boat,  these  two  might  have  step 
ped  into  it,  and  thus  have  terminated  their  own  suffer- 
ings ;  for  their  two  companions,  though  alive,  were  un- 
able to  stir  ;  they  lay  exhausted  on  the  top,  wishing  not. 
to  be  disturbed,  and  seemed  desirous  to  perish  in  that 
situation.  These  generous  fellows  hesitated  not  a  mo- 
ment to  remain,  themselves,  on  the  wreck,  and  to  save 
their  unfortunate  companions,  against  their  will.  They 
lifted  them  up,  and  with  the  greatest  exertion  placed 
them  in  the  little  skiff;  the  manly  boy  rowed  them  tri- 
umphantly to  the  Cove,  and  immediately  had  them  con- 
veyed to  a  comfortable  habitation.  After  shaming,  by 
his  example,  older  persons,  who  had  larger  boats,  he 
again  put  off  with  his  skiff,  but  with  all  his  efforts,  he 
could  not  then  approach  the  wreck.  His  example,  how- 
ever, was  soon  followed  by  four  of  the  crew,  who  had 
escaped  in  the  Tribune's  jolly-boat,  and  by  some  of  the 
boats  in  the  Cove.  With  their  joint  exertions,  the  eight 
men  were  preserved,  and  these,  with  tjle  four  who  had 
saved  themselves  in  the  jolly-boat,  were  the  whole  of  the 
survivors  of  this  fine  ship's  company. 

A  circumstance  occurred,  in  which  that  cool  thought- 
lessness of  dangec,  which  so  often  distinguishes  the 
Britis^  tars,  was  displayed  in  such  a  striking  manner, 
that  it  would  be  inexcuSfcble  to  omit  it.  Daniel  Monro, 
as  we  have  already  seen,  had  gained  the  fore-top.  He 
suddenly  disappeared,  and  it  was  concluded  hjphad 
been  washed  away,  like  many  others.  After  being  ab- 
sent from  the  top  about  two  hours,  he,  to  the  surprise  of 
Dunlap,  who  was  likewise  on  the  fore-top,  raised  his 
head  through  the  lubber-hole.  Dunlap  inquiring  where 
he  had  been,  he  told  him  he  had  been  cruising  for  a 
better  birth  ;  that  after  swiming  about  the  wreck  a  ''con- 
siderable time,  he  had  returned  to  the  fore-shrouds,  and 
crawling  in  on  the  cat-harpings,  had  actually  been  sleep- 
ing there  more  than  an  hour,  and  appeared  greatly  re- 
freshed. 


AN  EXTRAORDINARY  FAMINE  IN  THE  AME- 
RICAN SHIP  PEGGY, 

On  her  return  from  the  Azores  to  New  York,  in  1765. 

FAMINE  frequently  leads  men  to  the  commission  of  the 
most  horrible  excesses :  insensible,  on  such  occasions,  to 
the  appeals  of  nature  and  reason,  man  assumes  the  cha- 
racter of  a  beast  of  prey  ;  he  is  deaf  to  every  representa- 
tion, and  coolly  meditates  the  death  of  his  fellow-crea- 
ture. 

One  of  these  scenes,  so  afflicting  to  humanity,  was,  in 
the  year  1765,  exhibited  in  the  brigantine  the  Peggy, 
David  Harrison,  commander,  freighted  by  certain  mer- 
chants of  New  York,  and  bound  to  the  Azores.  She 
arrived  without  accident  at  Fayal,  one  of  those  islands, 
and  having  disposed  of  her  cargo,  took  on  board  a 
lading  of  wine  and  spirits.  On  the  24th  of  October, 
of  the  same  year,  she  set  sail  on  her  return  to  New 
York. 

.  On  the  29th,  the  wind,  which  had  till  then  been  favor- 
ablei^juddenly  shifted.  Violent  storms,  which  succeeded 
each  other,  almost  without  interruption,  during  the 
month,  of  November,  did  much  damage  to  the  vessel. 
In  spite  of  all  the  exertions  of  the  crew,  and  the  experi- 
ence of  the  captain,  the  masts  went  by  the  board,  and 
all  the  sails,  excepting  one,  were  torn  to  rags :  and,  to 
add  to  their  distress,  several  leaks  were  discovered  in 
the  hold. 

At  the  beginning  of  December,  the  wind  abated  a  little, 
but  the  vessel  was  driven  out  of  her  course ;  and,  desti- 
tute of  masts,  sails,  and  rigging,  she  was  perfectly  un- 
manageable, and  drifted  to  and  fro,  at  the  mercy  of  the 
waves.  This,  however,  was  the  smallest  evil ;  another 
of  a  much  more  alarming  nature  soon  manifes-ted  itself. 


176  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 

Upon  examining  the  state  of  the  provisions,  they  were 
found  to  be  almost  totally  exhausted.  In  this  deplora- 
ble situation,  the  crew  had  no  hope  of  relief,  but  from 
chance. 

A  few  days  after  this  unpleasant  discovery,  two  ves- 
sels were  descried  early  one  morning,  and  a  transient 
ray  of  hope  cheered  the  unfortunate  crew  of  the  Peggy. 
The  sea  ran  so  high  as  to  prevent  captain  Harrison  from 
approaching  the  ships,  which  were  soon  out  of  sight. 
The  disappointed  seamen,  who  were  in  want  of  every 
thing,  then  fell  upon  the  wine  and  brandy,  with  which 
the  ship  was  laden.  They  allotted  to  the  captain  two 
small  jars  of  water,  each  containing  about  a  gallon, 
being  the  remainder  of  their  stock.  Some  days  elapsed, 
during  which  the  men,  in  some  measure,  appeased  the 
painful  cravings  of  hunger,  by  incessant  intoxication. 

On  the  fourth  day,  a  ship  was  observed  bearing  to- 
wards them,  in  full  sail :  no  time  was  lost  in  making 
signals  of  distress,  arid  the  crew  had  the  inexpressible 
satisfaction  to  perceive  that  they  were  answered.  The 
sea  was  sufficiently  calm  to  permit  the  two  vessels  to  ap- 
proach each  other.  The  strangers  seemed  much  affect- 
ed by  the  account  of  their  sufferings  and  misfortunes, 
and  promised  them  a  certain  quantity  of  biscuit ;  but  it 
was  not  immediately  sent  on  board,  the  captain  alleging, 
as  an  excuse  for  the  delay,  that  he  had  just  begun  a 
nautical  observation,  which  he  was  desirous  to  finish. 
However  unreasonable  such  a  pretext  appeared,  ^mider 
the  present '  circumstances,  the  famished  crew  of  the 
Peggy  was  obliged  to  submit.  The  time  mentioned  by 
the  captain  had  nearly  expired,  when,  to  their  extreme 
mortification,  the  latter,  regardless  of  his  promise,  crowd- 
ed all  his  sails  and  bore  away.  No  language  is  ade- 
quate to  describe  the  despair  and  consternation  which 
then  overwhelmed  the  crew.  Enraged,  and  destitute  of 
hope  they  fell  upon  whatever  they  had  spared  till  then. 
The  only  animals  that  remained  on  board  were  a  couple 
of  pigeons  and  a  cat,  which  were  devoured  in  an  in- 
stant. The  only  favor  they  showed  the  captain  was,  to 
reserve  for  him  the  head  of  the  cat.  He  afterwards  de- 


A   UAJ.1.NE   IN    THE   AMERICAN   SHIP   PEGGY.  177 

clared,  that  however  disgusting  it  would  have  been  on 
any  other  occasion,  he  thought  it,  at  that  moment,  a  treat 
exquisitely  delicious.  The  unfortunate  men  then  sup- 
ported their  existence  by  living  on  oil,  candles,  and 
leather,  and  these  were  entirely  consumed  by  the  28th 
of  December. 

From  that  day  until  the  13th  of  January,  it  is  impos- 
sible to  tell,  in  what  manner  they  subsisted.  Captain 
Harrison  had  been  for  some  time  unable  to  leave  his  ca- 
bin, being  confined  to  his  bed  by  a  severe  fit  of  the  gout. 
On  the  last  mentioned  day,  the  sailors  went  to  him  in  a 
body,  with  the  mate  at  their  head;  the  latter  acted  as 
spokesman,  and  after  an  affecting  representation  of  the 
deplorable  state  to  which  they  were  reduced,  declared 
that  it  was  necessary  to  sacrifice  one,  in  order  to  save 
the  rest ;  adding,  that  their  resolution  was  irrevocably 
fixed,  and  that  they  intended  to  cast  lots  for  the  victim. 

The  captain,  a  tender  and  humane  man,  could  not 
hear  such  a  barbarous  proposition  without  shuddering  • 
he  represented  to  them  that  they  were  men,  and  ought 
to  regard  each  other  as  brethren :  that  by  such  an  as- 
sassination,-they  would  forever  consign  themselves  to 
universal  execration,  and  commanded  them,  with  all  his 
authority,  to  relinquish  the  idea  of  committing  such  an 
atrocious  crime.  The  captain  was  silent;  but  he  had 
spoken  to  deaf  men.  They  all  with  one  voice  replied, 
that  jl  was  indifferent  to  them,  whether  he  approved  of 
their  resolution  or  not ;  that  they  had  only  acquainted, 
him  with  it.  out  of  respect,  and  because  he  would  rim 
the  same  risk  as  themselves ;  adding  that,  in  the  general 
misfortune,  all  command  and  distinction  were  at  an  end. 
With  these  words,  they  left  him,  and  went  upon  deck, 
where  the  lots  were  drawn. 

A  negro,  who  was  on  board  and  belonged  to  captain 
Harrison,  was  the  victim.  It  is  more  than  probable,  that 
the  lot  had  been  consulted  only  for  the  sake  of  form, 
and  that  the  wretched  black  was  proscribed,  the  moment 
the,  sailors  first  formed  their  resolution.  They  instantly 
ificed  him.  One  of  the  crew  tore  out  his  liver  and 
devoured  it,  without  having  the  patience  to  dress  it  by 


178  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

broiling,  or  in  any  other  manner.  He  was  soon  after- 
wards taken  ill,  and  died  the  following  day  ii  convul- 
sions, and  with  all  the  symptoms  of  madness.  Some  ot 
his  comrades  proposed  to  keep  his  body  to  live  upon, 
after  the  negro  was  consumed ;  but  this  advice  was  re- 
jected by  the  majority,  doubtless  on  account  of  the  ma- 
lady which  had  carried  him  off.  He  was,  therefore, 
thrown  overboard,  and  consigned  to  the  deep. 

The  captain,  in  the  intervals,  when  he  was  the  least 
tormented  by  the  gout,  was  not  more  exempt  from  the 
attacks  of  hunger,  than  the  rest  of  the  crew,  but  he  re- 
sisted all  the  persuasions  of  his  men  to  partake  of  their 
horrid  repast.  He  contented  himself  with  the  water 
which  had  been  assigned  to  him,  mixing  with  it  a  small 
quantity  of  spirits,  and  this  was  the  only  sustenance  he 
took  during  the  whole  period  of  his  distress. 

The  body  of  the  negro,  equally  divided,  and  eaten 
with  the  greatest  economy,  lasted  till  the  26th  of  Janu- 
ary. On  the  29th,  the  famished  crew  deliberated  upon 
selecting  a  second  victim.  They  again  came  to  inform 
the  captain  of  their  intention,  and  he  appeared  to  give 
his  consent,  fearing  lest  the  enraged  sailors  might  have 
recourse  to  the  lot  without  him.  They  left  it  with  him 
to  fix  upon  any  method  that  he  should  think  proper. 
The  captain,  summoning  all  his  strength,  wrote  upon 
small  pieces  of  paper,  the  name  of  each  man  who  was 
then  on  board  the  brigaritine,  folded  them  up,  put  them 
into  a  hat,  and  shook  them  well  together.  The  crew, 
meanwhile,  preserved  an  awful  silence ;  each  eye  was 
fixed,  and  each  mouth  was  open,  while  terror  was 
strongly  impressed  upon  every  countenance.  With  a 
trembling  hand,  one  of  them  drew,  from  the  hat,  the  fatal 
billet,  which  he  delivered  to  the  captain,  who  opened  it 
and  read  aloud  the  name  of  DAVID  FLATT.  The  unfortu- 
nate man,  on  whom  the  lot  had  fallen,  appeared  perfectly 
resigned  to  his  fate  : — "  My  friends,  (said  he  to  his  com- 
panions,) the  only  favor  I  request  of  you,  is,  not  to  keep 
me  long  in  pain ;  dispatch  me  as  speedily  as  you  did 
the  negro."  Then  turning  to  the  man  who  had  per- 
formed the  first  execution,  he  added: — "  It  is  you,  t 


A  FAMINE  IN   THE  AMERICAN  SHIP  PEGGY.  179 

choose  to  give  me  the  mortal  blow."  He  requested  an 
hour  to  prepare  himself  for  death,  to  which  his  com- 
rades could  only  reply  with  tears.  Meanwhile,  compas- 
sion, and  the  remonstrances  of  the  captain,  prevailed 
over  the  hunger  of  the  most  hard-hearted.  They  unani- 
mously resolved  to  defer  the  sacrifice  till  eleven  o'clock 
the  following  morning.  Such  a  short  reprieve  afforded 
very  little  consolation  to  FLATT. 

The  certainty  of  dying  the  next  day  made  such  a 
deep  impression  upon  the  mind,  that  his  body,  which, 
for  above  a  month,  had  withstood  the  almost  total  priva- 
tion of  nourishment,  sank  beneath  it.  He  was  seized 
with  a  violent  fever,  and  his  state  was  so  much  aggra- 
vated by  a  delirium,  with  which  it  was  accompanied, 
that  some  of  the  sailors  proposed  to  kill  him  immedi- 
ately, in  order  to  terminate  his  sufferings.  The  majority, 
however,  adhered  to  the  resolution  which  had  been  taken, 
of  waiting  till  the  following  morning. 

At  ten  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  30th  of  January, 
a  large  fire  was  already  made  to  dress  the  limbs  of  the 
unfortunate  victim,  when  a  sail  was  descried,  at  a  dis- 
tance. A  favorable  wind  drove  her  towards  the  Peggy, 
and  she  proved  to  be  the  Susan,  returning  from  Virginia, 
and  bound  to  London. 

The  captain  could  not  refrain  from  tears  at  the  affect- 
ing account  of  the  sufferings  endured  by  the  famished 
crew.  He  lost  no  time  in  affording  them  relief,  supply- 
ing them  immediately  with  provisions  and  rigging,  and 
offered  to  convoy  the  Peggy  to  London.  The  distance 
from  New  York,  their  proximity  to  the  English  coast, 
together  with  the  miserable  state  of  the  brigantine,  in- 
duced the  two  captains  to  proceed  to  England.  The 
voyage  was  prosperous ;  only  two  men  died ;  all  the 
others  gradually  recovered  their  strength.  Flatt  him- 
self was  restored  to  perfect  health,  after  having  been  so 
near  the  gates  of  death. 


THE  WRECKED  SEAMEN. 

THE  annexed  thrilling  sketch  is  extracted  from  the 
"  Life  of  a  Sailor,  by  a  Captain  in  the  British  Navy.1' 
It  relates  to  the  exposures  of  the  crew  of  the  Magpie, 
who  had  taken  to  the  boat,  after  their  shipwreck  on 
the  coast  of  Cuba.  The  boat  was  upset, — the  storm 
continues : — 

"  Even  in  this  moment  of  peril,  the  discipline  of  the 
navy  assumed  its  command,  At  the  order  from  the  lieu- 
tenant for  the  men  on  the  keel  to  relinquish  their  position 
they  instantly  obeyed,  the  boa^  was  turned  over  and 
once  more  the  expedient  was  triea,  but  quite  in  vain ;  foi4 
no  sooner  had  the  two  men  begun  to  bale  with  a  cou- 
ple of  hats,  and  the  safety  of  the  crew  to  appear  within 
the  bounds  of  probability,  than  one  man  declared  he  saw 
the  fin  of  a  shark.  No  language  can  convey  an  idea  of 
the  panic  which  seized  the  struggling  seamen  ;  a  shark 
is  at  all  times  an  object  of  horror  to  a  sailor ;  and  those 
who  have  seen  the  destructive  jaws  of  this  voracious 
fish*  and  their  immense  and  almost  incredible  power, 
their  love  of  blood,  and  their  bold  daring  to  obtain  it, 
alone  can  form  an  idea  of  the  sensations  produced  in  a 
swimmer  by  the  cry  of  "a  shark!  a  shark!"  Every 
man  now  struggled  to  obtain  a  moment's  safety.  Well 
they  knew  that  one  drop  of  blood  would  have  been 
scented  by  the  everlasting  pilot-fish,  the  jackalls  of  the 
shark ;  and  that  their  destruction  was  inevitable,  if  one 
only  of  these  monsters  should  discover  this  rich  repast, 
or  be  led  to  its  food  by  the  little  rapid  hunter  of  its  prey. 
All  discipline  was  now  unavailing,  the  boat  again  turned 
keel  up ;  one  man  only  gained  his  security,  to  be  pushed 
from  it  by  others,  and  thus  their  strength  began  to  fail 
from  long  continued  exertion.  However,  as  the  enemy 
so  much  dreaded  did  not  make  its  appearance,  Smith 
once  more  urged  them  to  endeavor  to  save  themselves 


THE   WRECKED   SEAMEN.  181 

by  the  only  means  left,  that  of  the  boat;  but  as  he  knew, 
that  he  would  only  increase  their  alarm  by  endeavoring 
to  persuade  them  that  sharks  did  not  abound  in  these 
parts,  he  used  the  wisest  plan  of  desiring  those  who 
held  on  by  the  gun- wale,  to  keep  splashing  in  the  water 
with  their  legs  in  order  to  frighten  the  monsters  at  which 
they  were  so  alarmed.  Once  more  had  hope  begun  to 
dawn: — the  boat  was  deaf  to  her  thwarts,  and  four 
men  were  in  her,  hard  at  work  ;  a  little  forbearance  and 
a  little  obedience,  and  they  were  safe.  At  this  moment, 
when  those  in  the  water  urged  their  messmates  in  the 
boat  to  continue  baling  with  unremitted  exertion,  a  noise 
was  heard  close  to  them,  and  about  fifteen  sharks  came 
right  in  amongst  them.  The  panic  was  ten  times  more 
dreadful  than  before ;  the  boat  was  again  upset  by  the 
simultaneous  endeavo^o  escape  the  danger ;  and  the 
twenty-two  sailors  were  again  devoted  to  destruction. 
At  first,  the  sharks  did  not  seem  inclined  to  seize  their 
prey,  but  swam  in  amongst  the  men,  playing  in  the  wa- 
ter, sometimes  leaping  about  and  rubbing  against  their 
victims.  This  was  of  short  duration ;  a  loud  shriek  from 
one  of  the  men  announced  his  sudden  pain ;  a  shark  had 
seized  him  by  the  leg,  and  severed  it  entirely  from  the 
body.  No  sooner  had  the  blood  been  tasted  than  the 
long  dreaded  attack  took  place;  another  and  another 
shriek  proclaimed  a  loss  of  limbs  ;  some  were  torn  from 
the  boat  to  which  they  vainly  endeavored  to  cling ;  some, 
it  was  supposed,  sank  from  fear  alone;  all  were  in 
dreadful  peril.  Mr.  Smith,  even  now,  when  of  all  horri- 
ble deaths  the  most  horrible  seemed  to  await  him,  gave 
his  orders  with  clearness  and  coolness ;  and  to  the  ever- 
lasting honor  of  the  poor  departed  crew  be  it  known, 
they  were  obeyed;  again  the  boat  was  righted,  and 
again  two  .men  were  in  her.  Incredible  as  it  may  ap- 
pear, still,  however,  it  is  true,  that  the  voice  of  the  officer 
was  heard  amidst  the  danger ;  and  the  survivors,  actu- 
ally as  before,  clung  to  the  gun-wale,  and  kept  the  boat 
upright.  Mr.  Smith  himself  held  to  the  stern,  and  cheer- 
ed and  applauded  his  men.  The  sharks  had  tasted  the 
blood,  and  were  not  to  be  driven  from  their  feast ;  in 
16 


182  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 

one  short  moment,  when  Mr.  Smith  ceased  splashing,  as 
he  looked  into  the  boat  to  watch  the  progress,  a  shark 
seized  both  legs,  and  bit  them  off  just  above  the  knees. 
Human  nature  was  not  strong  enough  to  bear  the  im- 
mense pain  without  a  groan ;  but  Mr.  Smith  endeavored 
to  conceal  the  misfortune ;  nature,  true  to  herself,  resisted 
the  endeavor,  and  the  groan  was  deep  and  audible. 
The  crew  had  long  respected  their  gallant  commander ; 
they  knew  his  worth  and  his  courage: — on  hearing  him 
express  his  pain,  and  seeing  him  relinquish  his  hold  to 
sink,  two  of  the  men  grasped  their  dying  officer,  and 
placed  him  in  the  stern  sheets.  Even  now,  in  "almost  in- 
supportable agony,  that  gallant  fellow  forgot  his  own 
sufferings,  and  thought  only  of  rescuing  the  remaining 
few  from  the  untimely  grave  which  awaited  them ;  he 
told  them  again  of  their  only  hope,  deplored  their  peri- 
lous state,  and  concluded  with  these  words:  "if  any  of 
you  survive  this  fatal  night,  and  return  to  Jamaica,  tell 
the  admiral  (Sir  Lawrence  Halstead)  that  I  was,  in 
search  of  the  pirate  when  this  lamentable  occurrence 
took  place,  tell  him  I  hope  I  have  always  done  my  duty, 
and  that  I — "  Here  the  endeavor  of  some  of  the  .men 
to  get  into  the  boat  gave  her  a  heel  on  one  side ;  the  men 
who  were  supporting  poor  Smith  relinquished  him  for  a^ 
moment,  and  he  rolled  overboard  and  was  drowned. 
His  last  bubbling  cry  was  soon  lost  amidst  the  shrieks 
of  his  former  companions ;  he  sank  to  rise  no  more. 

At  eight  o'clock  in  the  evening,  the  Magpie  was  up- 
set; it  was  calculated  by  the  two  survivors,  that  their 
companions  had  all  died  by  nine.  The  sharks  seemed 
satisfied  for  the  moment,  and  they,  with  gallant  hearts, 
resolved  to  profit  by  the  precious  time  in  order  to  save 
themselves;  they  righted  the  boat,  and  one  getting  over 
the  bows,  and  the  other  over  the  stern,  they  found  them- 
selves, although  nearly  exhausted,  yet  alive,  and  in  com- 
parative security ;  they  began  the  work  of  baling,  and 
soon  lightened  the  boat  sufficiently  not  to  be  easily  up- 
set, when  both  set  down  to  rest.  The  return  of  the 
sharks  was  a  signal  for  their  return  to  labor.  The  vora- 
cious monsters  endeavored  to  upset  the  boat ;  they  swam 


THE   WRECKED    SEAMEN.  183 

by  its  side  in  seeming  anxiety  for  their  prey,  but  after 
waiting  sometime,  they  separated  :  the  two  rescued  sea- 
men found  themselves  free  from  their  insatiable  ene- 
mies, and,  by  the  blessing  of  God,  saved.  Tired  as  they 
were,  they  continued  their  labor  until  the  boat  was 
nearly  dry,  when  both  lay  down  to  rest,  the  one  forward, 
and  the  other  aft ;  so  completely  had  fear  operated  on 
their  minds,  that  they  did  not  dare  even  to  move,  dread- 
ing that  an  incautious  step  might  have  capsized  the  boat 
They  soon,  in  spite  of  the  horrors  they  had  witnessed, 
fell  into  a  sound  sleep,  and  day  had  dawned  before  they 
awoke  to  horrible  reflections,  and  apparently  worse  dan- 
gers. The  sun  rose  clear  and  unclouded ;  the  cool  calm 
of  the  night  was  followed  by  the  sultry  calm  of  the  morn- 
ing, and  heat,  hunger,  thirst,  and  fatigue,  seemed  to  set- 
tle on  the  unfortunate  men,  rescued  by  Providence  and 
their  own  exertions  from  the  jaws  of  a  honible  death. 
They  awoke  and  looked  at  each  other ;  the  very  gaze  of 
despair  was  appalling ;  far  as  the  eye  could  reach,  no 
object  could  be  discerned  ;  the  bright  haze  of  the  morn- 
ing added  to  the  strong  refraction  of  light ;  one  smooth, 
interminable  plain,  one  endless  ocean,  one  cloudless  sky 
and  one  burning  sun,  were  all  they  had  to  gaze  upon. 
The  boat  lay  like  the  ark,  in  a  world  alone !  They  had 
no  oar,  no  mast,  no  sail,  nothing  but  the  bare  planks  and 
themselves,  without  provisions  or  water,  food  or  raiment. 
They  lay  upon  the  calm  ocean,  hopeless,  friendless,  and 
miserable.  It  was  a  time  of  intense  anxiety,  their  eyes 
rested  upon  each  other  in  silent  pity,  not  unmixed  with 
fear.  .  Each  knew  the  dreadful  alternative  to  which  na- 
ture would  urge  them.  The  cannibal  was,  already,  in 
their  looks,  and  fearful  would  have  been  the  first  attack, 
on  either  side,  for  they  were  both  brave  and  stout  men, 
and  equal  in  strength  and  courage. 

It  now  being  about  half  past  six  in  the  morning,  the 
sun  was  beginning  to  prove  its  burning  power,  the  sea 
was  as  smooth  as  a  looking  glass,  and  saving  now  and 
then,  the  slight  cat's  paw  of  air,  which  ruffled  the  face 
of  the  water  for  a  few  yards,  all  was  calm  and  hushed. 
In  vain  they  strained  their  eyes,  in  vain  they  turned 


184  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

from  side  to  side  to  escape  the  burning  rays  of  the  sun ; 
they  could  not  sleep,  for  now  anxiety  and  fear  kept  both 
vigilant  and  on  their  guard ;  they  dared  not  to  court 
sleep,  for  that  might  have  been  the  last  of  mortal  repose. 
Once  they  nearly  quarrelled,  but,  fortunately,  the  better 
feelings  of  humanity  overcame  the  bitterness  of  despair. 
The  foremost  man  had  long  complained  of  thirst,  and 
had  frequently  dipped  his  hand  into  the  water,  and  suck- 
ed the  fluid ;  this  was  hastily  done,  for  all  the  horrors 
of  the  night  were  still  before  them,  and  not  unfrequently 
the  sharp  fin  of  a  shark  was  seen  not  very  far  from  the 
boat.  In  the  midst  of  the  excruciating  torments  of  thirst, 
heightened  by  the  salt  water,  and  the  irritable  temper  of 
the  bowman,  as  he  stamped  his  impatient  feet  against 
the  bottom  boards,  and  tore  his  hair  with  unfeeling  in- 
difference, he  suddenly  stopped  the.  expression  of  rage 
and  called  out — "  A  sail !" 

Whilst  they  stood  watching  in  silence  the  approach 
of  the  brig,  which  slowly  made  her  way  through  the 
water,  and  at  the  very  instant  that  they  were  assuring 
each  other  that  they  were  seen,  and  that  the  vessel  was 
purposely  steered  on  the  course  she  was  keeping,  to 
reach  them,  the  whole  fabric  of  hope  was  destroyed  in  a 
second ;  the  brig  kept  away  about  three  points,  and  be- 
gan to  make  more  sail.  Then  was  it  an  awful  moment ; 
their  countenances  saddened  as  they  looked  at  each 
other ;  for  in  vain  they  hailed,  in  vain  they  threw  their 
jackets  in  the  air ;  it  was  evident  they  had  never  been 
seen,  and  that  the  brig  was  steering  her  proper  course. 

The  time  was  slipping  away,  and  if  once  they  got 
abaft  the  beam  of  the  brig,  every  second  would  lessen 
the  chance  of  being  seen,  besides  the  sea  breeze  might 
come  down,  and  then  she  would  be  far  away,  and  be- 
yond all  hope  in  a  quarter  of  an  hour.  Now  was  it,  that 
the  man  who  had  been  so  loudly  lamenting  his  fate, 
seemed  suddenly  inspired  with  fresh  hope  and  courage  ; 
he  looked  attentively  at  the  brig,  then  at  his  companion, 
and  said,  "  By  heaven,  I  '11  do  it,  or  we  are  lost !"  "Do 
what?"  said  the  shipmate.  "Though,"  said  the  first 
man,  "  it  is  no  trifle  to  do,  after  what  we  have  seen  and 


THE   WRECKED    SEAMEN.  185 

known ;  yet  I  will  try,  for  if  she  passes  us,  what  can  we 
do  ?  I  tell  you,  Jack,  I  '11  swim  to  her ;  if  I  get  safe  to 
her,  you  are  saved ;  if  not,  why  I  shall  die  without  add- 
ing, perhaps  murder,  to  my  crimes."  "What!  jump 
overboard,  and  leave  me  all  alone !"  replied  his  compa- 
nion ;  "  look,  look  at  that  shark,  which  has  followed  us 
all  night ;  why,  it  is  only  waiting  for  you  to  get  into  the 
water  to  swallow  you,  as  it  did  perhaps  half  of  our  mess- 
mates ;  no,  no,  wait,  do  wait ;  perhaps  another  vessel 
may  come ;  besides,  I  cannot  swim  half  the  distance,  and 
I  should  be  afraid  to  remain  behind ;  think,  Tom,  only 
think  of  the  sharks  and  of  last  night." 

He  jumped  overboard  with  as  much  calmness  as  if  he 
was  bathing  in  security.  No  sooner  had  he  begun  to  strike 
out  in  the  direction  he  intended,  than  his  companion 
turned  towards  the  sharks.  The  first  had  disappeared, 
and  it  was  evident  they  had  heard  the  splash,  and  would 
soon  follow  their  prey.  It  is  hard  to  say,  who  suffered 
the  most  anxiety.  The  one  left  in  the  boat  cheered  his 
companion,  looked  at  the  brig,  and  kept  waving  his 
jacket,  then  turned  to  watch  .the  sharks  ;  his  horror  may 
be  imagined  when  he  saw  three  of  these  terrific  monsters 
swim  past  the  boat,  exactly  in  the  direction  of  his  com- 
panion ;  he  splashed  his  jacket  in  the  water  to  scare 
them  away,  but  they  seemed  quite  aware  of  the  impo- 
tency  of  the  attack,  and  lazily  pursued  their  course. 
The  man  swam  well  and  strongly.  There  was  no  doubt 
he  would  pass  within  hail  of  the  brig,  provided  the 
sharks  did  not  interfere,  and  he,  knowing  that  they 
would  not  be  long  in  following  him,  kept  kicking  in  the 
water  and  splashing,  as  he  swam.  There  is  no  fish  more 
cowardly,  and  yet  more  desperately  savage  than  a  shark. 
I  have  seen  one  harpooned  twice,  with  a  hook  in  his 
jaws,  and  come  again  to  a  fresh  bait ;  yet  will  they  suffer 
themselves  to  be  scared  by  the  smallest  noise,  a^id  hard- 
ly ever  take  their  prey  without  it  is  quite  still.  Gene- 
rally speaking,  any  place  surrounded  by  rocks  where  the 
surf  breaks,  although  there  may  be  no  passage  for  a 
ship,  will  be  secure  from  sharks.  It  was  not  until  a 
great  distance  had  been  accomplished,  that  the  swimmer 
16* 


186  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS.  • 

became  apprized  of  his  danger,  and  saw  by  his  side  one 
of  the  terrific  creatures  ;  still,  however,  he  bravely  swam 
and  kicked ;  his  mind  was  made  up  for  the  worst,  and  he 
had  little  hope  of  success.  In  the  mean  time  the  breeze 
had  gradually  freshened,  and  the  brig  passed  with 
greater  velocity  through  the  water  ;  every  stitch  of  can- 
vas was  spread.  To  the  poor  swimmer,  the  sails  seemed 
bursting  with  the  breeze,  and  as  he  used  his  utmost  en- 
deavor to  propel  himself  so  as  to  cut  off  the  vessel,  the 
spray  appeared  to  dash  from  the  bow  and  the  brig  to  fly 
through  the  sea.  He  was  now  close  enough  to  hope  his 
voice  might  be  hfaard ;  but  he  hailed  and  hailed  in  vain, 
not  a  soul  was  to  be  seen  on  deck ;  the  man  who  steered, 
was  too  intent  upon  his  avocation  to  listen  to  the  call  of 
mercy.  The  brig  passed,  and  the  swimmer  was  every 
second  getting  further  in  the  distance,  every  hope  was 
gone,  not  a  ray  of  that  bright  divinity  remained,  the  fa- 
tigue had  nearly  exhausted  him,  and  the  sharks  only 
waited  for  the  first  quiet  moment  to  swallow  their  vic- 
tim. It  was  in  vain,  he  thought  of  returning  towards 
the  boat,  for  he  never  could  have  reached  her,  and  his 
companion*  had  no  means  of  assisting  him.  In  the  act 
of  offering  up  his  last  prayer,  ere  he  made  up  his  mind 
to  float  and  be  eaten,  he  saw  a  man  looking  over  the 
quarter  of  the  brig ;  he  raised  both  his  hands,  he  jumped 
himself  up  in  the  water,  and  by  the  singularity  of  his 
motions,  fortunately  attracted  notice.  A  telescope  soon 
made  clear  the  object;  the  brig  was  hove  to,  a  boat  sent, 
and  the  man  saved.  The  attention  of  the  crew  was 
then  awakened  to  the  Magpie's  boat;  she  was  soon 
alongside,  and  thus,  through  the  bold  exertions  of  as  gal- 
lant a  fellow  as  ever  breathed,  both  were  rescued  from 
their  perilous  situation. 


THE  LOSS  OF  THE  PEGGY. 

ON  the  28th  of  September,  1785,  the  Peggy,  command- 
ed by  captain  Knight,  sailed  from  the  harbor  of  Water- 
ford,  Ireland,  for  the  port  of  New  York,  in  America. 

Here  it  is  necessary  to  observe,  that  the  Peggy  was  a 
large  unwieldy  Dutch-built  ship,  about  eight  hundred 
tons  burden,  and  had  formerly  been  in  tne  Norway  and 
timber  trade,  for  which,  indeed,  she  seemed,  from  her 
immense  bulk,  well  calculated.  There  being  no  freight 
in  readiness  for  America,  we  were  under  the  necessity 
of  taking  in  ballast:  which  consisted  of  coarse  gravel 
and  sand,  witli  about  fifty  casks  of  stores,  fresh  stock, 
and  vegetables,  sufficient  to  last  during  the  voyage  • 
having  plenty  of  room,  and  having  been  most  abun- 
dantly supplied  by  the  hospitable  neighborhood/of  which 
we  were  about  to  take  our  leave. 

We  weighed  anchor,  and  with  the  assistance  of  a  rapid 
tide  and  pleasant  breeze,  soon  gained  a  tolerable  offing : 
we  continued  under  easy  sail  the  remaining  part  of  the 
day,  and  towards  sunset,  lost  sight  of  land. 

September  29th,  made  the  old  head  of  Kingsale ;  the 
weather  continued  favorable,  we  shortly  came  within 
sight  of  cape  Clear,  from  whence  we  took  our  departure 
from  the  coast  of  Ireland. 

Nothing  material  occurred  for  several  days,  during 
which  time  we  traversed  a  vast  space  of  the  Western 
ocean. 

October  12th,  the  weather  now  became  hazy  and 
squally  ;  all  hands  turned  up  to  reef  top-sails,  and  strike 
top-gallant-yards.  Towards  night,  the  squalls  were 
more  frequent,  indicating  an  approaching  gale; — we  ac- 
cordingly clued,  reefed  top-sails,  and  struck  top-gallant- 
masts  ;  and  having  made  all  snug  aloft,  the  ship  wea- 
thered the  night  very  steadily.  .  , 

OH  the  13th,  the  crew  were  employed  in  setting  up  the 


188  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 

rigging,  and  occasionally  pumping,  the  ship  having 
made  much  water,  during  the  night  The  gale  increas- 
ing as  the  day  advanced,  occasioned  the  vessel  to  make 
heavy  rolls,  by  which  an  accident  happened,  which  was 
near  doing  much  injury  to  the  captain's  cabin.'  A  pun- 
cheon of  rum,  which  was  lashed  on  the  larboard  side  of 
the  cabin,  broke  loose,  a  sudden  jerk  having  drawn 
asunder  the  elects  to  which  it  was  fastened.  By  its  ve- 
locity, it  stove  in  the  state-rooms,  and  broke  several  uten- 
sils of  the  cabin  furniture.  The  writer  of  this,  with 
much  difficulty,  escaped  with  whole  limbs :  but  not  al- 
together unhurt,  receiving  a  painful  bruise  on  the  right 
foot :  having,  however,  escaped  from  the  cabin,  the  peo- 
ple on  deck  were  given  to  understand  that  the  rum  was 
broken  loose.  The  word  rum  soon.^tpactcd  the  sailors' 
attention,  and  this  cask  being  the  IfiHp  only  stock,  they 
were  not  tardy  (as  may  be  supposM)  in  rendering  their 
assistance  to  double  lash,  what  they  anticipated — the 
delight  of  frequently  splicing  the  mainbrace  therewith, 
during  their  voyage. 

On  the  14th,  the  weather  became  moderate,  and  the 
crew  were  employed  in  making  good  the  stoxvage  of  the 
stores  in  the  hold,  which  had  given  way  during  the 
night ;  shaking  reefs  out  of  the  top-sails,  getting  up  the 
top-gallant  masts  and  yards,  and  rigging  out  studding- 
sails.  All  hands  being  now  called  to  dinner,  a  bustle 
and  confused  noise  took  place  on  deck.  The  captain 
(who  was  below)  sent  the  writer  of  this,  to  discover  the 
cause  thereof,  but  before  he  could  explain,  a  voice  was 
crying  out  in  a  most  piteous  and  vociferous  tone.  The 
captain  and  chief  mate  jumped  on  deck,  and  found  the 
crew  had  got  the  cook  laid  on  the  windlass,  and  were 
giving  him  a  most  severe  cobbing  with  a  flat  piece  of  his 
own  firewood.  As  soon  as  the  captain  had  reached  for- 
ward, he  was  much  exasperated  with  them  for  their  pre- 
cipitate conduct,  in  punishing  without  his  knowledge 
and  permission  ;  and  having  prohibited  such  proceedings 
in  future  cases,  he  inquired  the  cause  of  their  grievance. 
The  cook,  it  seems,  having  been  serving  out  fresh  water 
to  dress  vegetables  for  all  hands,  had  inadvertently  used 


THE  LOSS  OP  THE  PEGGY.  189 

it  for  some  other  purpose,  and  boiled  the  greens  in  a  cop- 
per of  salt  water,  which  rendered  them  so  intolerably 
tough,  that  they  were  not  fit.  for  use;  consequently  the 
sailors  had  not  their  expected  garnish,  and  a  general 
murmur  taking  place,  the  above  punishment  was  in- 
flicted. 

A  steady  breeze  ensued,  all  sails  filled  and  the  ship 
made  way,  with  a  lofty  and  majestic  air :  and  at  every 
plunge  of  her  bows,  which  were  truly  Dutch-built,  rose  a 
foam  of  no  small  appearance. 

During  four  days,  the  weather  continued  favorable, 
which  flattered  the  seamen  with  a  speedy  sight  of  land. 

On  the  19th,  we  encountered  a  very  violent  gale,  with 
an  unusual  heavy  sea; — the  ship  worked  greatly,  and 
took  in  much  water  through  her  seams  ;  the  pumps  were 
kept  frequently  glJBg-  At  mid-day,  while  the  crew 
were  at  dinner,  a^pqkendous  sea  struck  the  ship  right 
aft,  which  stove  in  we,  cabin  windows,  upset  the  whole 
of  the  dinner,  and  nearly  drowned  the  captain,  mate,  and 
myself,  who  was  at  that  time  holding  a  dish  on  the  ta- 
ble, while  the  captain  was  busily  employed  in  carving  a 
fine  goose,  which,  much  to  our  discomfiture,  was  en- 
tirely drenched  by  the  salt-water.  Some  of  the  coops 
were  washed  from  the  quarter-deck,  and  several  of  the 
poultry  destroyed. 

In  consequence  of  the  vessel's  shipping  so  great  a  quan- 
tity of  water,  the  pumps  were  doubly  manned,  and  soon 
gained  on  her.  The  gale  had  not  in  the  least  abated 
during  the  night.  The  well  was  plumbed,  and  there 
was  found  to  be  a  sudden  and  alarming  increase  of  wa- 
ter. The  carpenter  was  immediately  ordered  to  exa- 
mine the  ship  below,  in  order  to  find  the  cause  of  the 
vessel's  making  so  much  water.  His  report  was,  she 
being  a  very  old  vessel,  her  seams  had  considerably  open- 
ed by  her  laboring  so  much ;  therefore,  could  devise  no 
means,  at  present,  to  prevent  the  evil.  He  also  reported 
the  mizzen-mast  to  be  in  great  danger. 

The  heel  of  the  mizzen-mast  being  stepped  between 
decks,  (a  very  unusual  case,  but  probably  it  was  placed 
there  in  order  to  make  more  room  for  stowage  in  the 


190  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

after-hold,)  was  likely  to  work  from  its  step,  and  thereby 
might  do  considerable  damage  to  the  ship. 

The  captain  now  held  a  consultation  with  the  officers, 
when  it  was  deemed  expedient  to  cut  the  mast  away, 
without  delay :  this  was  accordingly  put  into  execution, 
the  following  morning,  as  soon  as  the  day  made  its  ap- 
•  pearance.  The  necessary  preparations  having  been 
made,  the  carpenter  began  hewing  at  the  mast,  and 
quickly  made  a  deep  wound.  Some  of  the  crew  were 
stationed  ready  to  cut  away  the  stays  and  lanyards, 
whilst  the  remaining  part  were  anxiously  watching  the 
momentary  crash  which  was  to  ensue  ;  the  word  being 
given  to  cut  away  the  weather-lanyards,  as  the  ship 
gave  a  lee-lurch,  the  whole  of  the  wreck  of  the  mast 
plunged,  without  further  injury,  into  the  ocean. 

The  weather  still  threatening  a  continuance,  our  prin- 
cipal employ  was  at  the  pumps,  which  were  kept  con- 
tinually going.  The  sea  had  now  risen  to  an  alarming 
height,  and  frequently  struck  the  vessel  with  great  vio- 
lence. Towards  the  afternoon,  part  of  the  starboard 
bulwark  was  carried  away  by  the  shock  of  a  heavy  sea, 
which  made  the  ship  broach  to,  and  before  she  could 
answer  her  helm  again,  a  sea  broke  through  the  fore- 
chains,  and  swept  away  the  caboose  and  all  its  utensils 
from  the  deck  :  fortunately  for  the  cook,  he  was  assist- 
ing at  the  pumps  at  the  time,  or  he  inevitably  must 
have  shared  the  same  fate  as  his  galley. 

Notwithstanding  the  exertions  of  the  crew,  the  water 
gained  fast,  and  made  its  way  into  the  hold,  which 
washed  a  great  quantity  of  the  ballast  through  the 
timber-holes  into  the  hull,  by  which  the  suckers  of  the 
pumps  were  much  damaged,  and  they  thereby  frequently 
choked.  By  such  delays  the  leaks  increased  rapidly. 
We  were  under  the  necessity  of  repeatedly  hoisting  the 
pumps  on  deck,  to  apply  different  means  which  were 
devised  to  keep  the  sand  from  entering,  but  all  our  ef- 
forts proved  ineffectual,  and  the  pumps  were  deemed  of 
no  further  utility.  There  was  now  no  time  to  be  lost ; 
accordingly  it  was  agreed  that  the  allowance  of  fresh 
water  should  be  lessened  to  a  pint  a  man;  the  casks 


THE  LOSS  OF  THE  PEGGY.  191 

were  immediately  hoisted  from  the  hold,  and  lashed  be- 
tween decks.  As  the  water  was  started  from  two  of 
them,  they  were  sawed  in  two,  and  formed  into  buckets, 
there  being  no  other  casks  on  board  fit  for  that  purpose ; 
the  whips  were  soon  applied,  and  the  hands  began  bal- 
ing at  the  fore  and  after  hatchways,  which  continued 
without  intermission  the  whole  of  the  night,  each  man 
being  suffered  to  take  one  hour's  rest,  in  rotation. 

The  morning  of  the  22d,  presented  to  our  view  a  most 
dreary  aspect, — a  dismal  horizon  encircling — not  the 
least  appearance  of  the  gale  abating — on  the  contrary,  it 
seemed  to  come  with  redoubled  vigor — the  ballast  wash- 
ing from  side  to  side  of  the  ship  at  each  roll,  and  scarce 
a  prospect  of  freeing  her.  Notwithstanding  these  ca- 
lamities, the  crew  did  not  relax  their  efforts.  The  main- 
hatchway  was  opened,  and  fresh  buckets  went  to  work ; 
the  captain  and  mate  alternately  relieving  each  other  at 
the  helm.  The  writer's  station  was  to  supply  the  crew 
with  grog,  which  was  plentifully  served  to  them  every 
two  hours.  By  the  motion  of  the  ship;  the  buckets  struck 
against  the  combings  of  the  hatchways  with  great  vio- 
lence, and  in  casting  them  into  the  hold  to  fill,  they  fre- 
quently struck  on  the  floating  pieces  of  timber  which 
were  generally  used  as  chocks  in  stowing  the  hold.  By 
such  accidents,  the  buckets  were  repeatedly  stove,  and 
we  were  under  the  necessity  of  cutting  more  of  the  wa- 
ter casks  to  supply  their  place.  Starting  the  fresh  water 
overboard  was  reluctantly  done,  particularly  as  we  now 
felt  the  loss  of  the  caboose,  and  were  under  the  necessity 
of  eating  the  meat  raw,  which  occasioned  us  to  be  very 
thirsty.  Night  coming  on,  the  crew  were  not  allowed 
to  go  below  to  sleep ;  each  man,  when  it  came  to  his 
turn,  stretched  himself  on  the  deck. 

October  23.  Notwithstanding  the  great  quantity  of 
water  baled  from  the  vessel,  she  gained  so  considerably, 
that  she  had  visibly  settled  much  deeper  in  the  water. 
All  hands  were  now  called  aft,  in  order  to  consult  on  the 
best  measures.  It  was  now  unanimously  resolved  to 
make  for  the  island  of  Bermuda,  it  being  the  nearest 
land.  Accordingly  we  bore  away  for  it,  but  had  not 


192  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

sailed  many  leagues  before  we  found  that  the  great 
quantity  of  water  in  the  vessel  had  impeded  her  steer- 
age so  much  that  she  could  scarcely  answer  her  helm ; 
and  making  a  very  heavy  lurch,  the  ballast  shifted, 
which  gave  her  a  great  lift  to  the  starboard,  and  render- 
ed it  very  difficult  to  keep  a  firm  footing  on  deck.  The 
anchors  which  were  stowed  on  the  larboard  bow  were 
ordered  to  be  cut  away,  and  the  cables,  which  were  on 
the  orlop  deck,  to  be  hove  overboard  in  order  to  right  her ; 
but  all  this  had  a  very  trifling  effect,  for  the  ship  was 
now  become  quite  a  log. 

The  crew  were  still  employed  in  bailing ;  one  of  whom, 
in  preventing  a  bucket  from  being  stove  against  the 
combings,  let  go  his  hold,  and  fell  down  the  hatchway ; 
with  great  difficulty  he  escaped  being  drowned  or  dash- 
ed against  the  ship's  sides.  Having  got  into  a  bucket 
which  was  instantly  lowered,  he  was  providentially 
hoisted  on  deck  without  any  injury. 

During  the  night,  the  weather  became  more  moderate, 
and  on  the  following  morning,  (October  25,)  the  gale 
had  entirely  subsided,  but  left  a  very  heavy  swell.  Two 
large  whales  approached  close  to  the  ship.  They  sport- 
ed around  the  vessel  the  whole  of  the  day,  and  after 
dusk,  disappeared. 

Having  now  no  further  use  of  the  helm,  it  was  lashed 
down,  and  the  captain  and  mate  took  their  spell  at  the 
buckets.  My  assistance  having  been  also  required,  a 
boy  of  less  strength,  whose  previous  business  was  to  at- 
tend the  cook,  now  took  my  former  station  of  serving 
the  crew  with  refreshments.  This  lad  had  not  long 
filled  his  new  situation  of  drawing  out  rum  from  the 
cask,  before  he  was  tempted  to  taste  it,  which  hav- 
ing repeatedly  done,  he  soon  became  intoxicated,  and 
was  missed  on  deck  for  some  time.  I  was  sent  to  look 
for  him.  The  spigot  I  perceived  out  of  the  cask,  and 
the  liquor  running  about,  but  the  boy  I  could  not  see  for 
some  time;  however  looking  down  the  lazeretto,  (the 
trap-door  of  which  was  lying  open,)  I  found  him  fast 
asleep.  He  had  luckily  fallen  on  some  sails  which  were 
Stowed  there,  or  he  must  have  perished. 


LOSS  OF  THE  PEGGY.  193 

On  the  26th  and  27th  of  October,  the  weather  con- 
tinued quite  clear,  with  light  baffling  winds.  A  man 
was  constantly  kept  aloft  to  look  out  for  a  sail.  The 
rest  of  the  crew  were  employed  at  the  whips. 

On  the  28th,  the  weather  began  to  lower,  and  appeared 
inclined  for  rain.  This  gave  some  uneasiness,  being  ap- 
prehensive of  a  gale.  The  captain  therefore  directed  the 
carpenter  to  overhaul  the  long-boat,  caulk  her,  and  raise 
a  streak,  which  orders  were  immediately  complied  with  ; 
but  when  he  went  to  his  locker  for  oakum,-  he  found  it 
plundered  of  nearly  the  whole  of  his  stock — all  hands 
were  therefore  set  to  picking,  by  which  means  he  was 
soon  supplied. 

It  was  totally  clear  on  the  29th,  with  a  fresh  breeze, 
but  the  ship  heeled  so  much  that  her  gunwale  at  times 
was  under  water,  and  the,  crew  could  scarcely  stand  on 
deck.  All  hands  were  now  ordered  to  assemble  aft, 
when  the  captain  in  a  short  address,  pointed  out  the 
most  probable  manner  by  which  they  could  be  saved. 
All  agreed  in  opinion  with  him,  and  it  was  resolved  that 
the  long-boat  should  be  hoisted  out  as  speedily  as  possi- 
ble, and  such  necessaries  as  could  be  conveniently  stow- 
ed, to  be  placed  in  her.  Determined  no  longer  to  labor 
at  the  buckets,  the  vessel,  which  could  not  remain  above 
water  many  hours  after  we  had  ceased  bailing,  was  now 
abandoned  to  her  fate. 

I  now  began  to  reflect  on  the  smalt"  chance  we  had  of 
being  saved — twenty-two  people  in  an  open  boat — up- 
wards of  three  hundred  miles  from  the  land,  in  a  bois- 
terous climate,  and  the  whole  crew  worn  out  with  fa- 
tigue !  The  palms  of  the  crew's  hands  were  already  so 
flayed  it  could  not  be  expected  that  they  could  do  much 
execution  with  the  oars ;  while  thus  reflecting  on  our 
perilous  situation,  one  of  our  oldest  seamen,  who  at  this 
moment  was  standing  near  me,  turned  his  head  aside  to 
wipe  away  a  tear ;  I  could  not  refrain  from  sympathiz- 
ing with  him,  my  heart  was  already  full ;  the  captain 
perceiving  my  despondency  bade  me  be  of  good  oheer, 
and  called  me  a  young  lubber. 

The  boat  having  been  hoisted  out,  and  such  neeessa- 
17 


194  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 

ries  placed  in  her  as  were  deemed  requisite,  one  of  fhe 
hands  was  sent  aloft  to  lash  the  colors  downwards  to  the 
main-top-mast  shrouds ;  which  having  done,  he  placed 
himself  on  the  crosstrees,  to  look  around  him,  and  al- 
most instantly  hallooed  out, — "A  sail."  It  would  be 
impossible  to  describe  the  ecstatic  emotions  of  the  crew  : 
every  man  was  aloft,  in  order  to  be  satisfied  ;  though  a 
minute  before,  not  one  of  the  crew  was  able  to  stand 
upright. 

The  sail  was  on  our  weather-bow,  bearing  right  down 
on  us  with  a  smart  breeze.  She  soon  perceived  us,  but 
hauled  her  wind  several  times,'  in  order  to  examine  our 
ship.  As  she  approached  nearer  she  clearly  perceived 
our  calamitous  situation,  and  hastened  to  our  relief. 

She  proved  to  be  a  Philadelphia  schooner,  bound  to  cape 
Francois,  in  St.  Domingo.  The  captain  took  us  all  on 
board  in  the  most  humane  and  friendly  manner,  and  af- 
ter casting  our  boat  adrift,  proceeded  on  his  voyage. 
When  we  perceived  our  ship  from  the  vessel  on  which 
we  were  now  happily  on  board,  her  appearance  was 
truly  deplorable. 

The  captain  of  the  schooner  congratulated  us  on  our 
fortunate  escape,  and  expressed  his  surprise  that  the 
ship  should  remain  so  long  on  her  beam  ends,  in  such  a 
heavy  sea,  without  capsizing.  We  soon  began  to  dis- 
tance the  wreck,  by  this  time  very  low  in  the  water,  and 
shortly  after  lost  sight  of  her. 

The  evening  began  to  approach  fast,  when  a  man 
loosing  the  main-top-sail,  descried  a  sail  directly  in  the 
same  course  on  our  quarter.  We  made  sail  for  her,  and 
soon  came  within  hail  of  her.  She  proved  to  be  a  brig 
from  Glasgow,  bound  to  Antigua.  It  was  now  deter- 
mined, between  the  captains,  that  half  of  our-  people 
should  remain  in  the  schooner,  and  the  captain,  mate, 
eight  of  the  crew,  and  myself,  should  get  on  board  the 
brig.  On  our  arrival  at  Antigua  we  met  with  much 
kindness  and  humanity. 


LOSS  OF  THE  HALSEWELL  EAST  INDIAMAN. 

THE  Halsewell  East  Indiaman,  of  seven  hundred  and 
fifty-eight  tons  burthen,  Richard  Pierce,  Esq.  commander, 
having  been  taken  up  by  the  Directors  to  make  her  third 
voyage  to  coast  and  bay,  fell  down  to  Gravesend  the 
16th  of  November,  1785,  and  there  completsd  her  lad- 
ing. Having  taken  the  ladies  and  other  passengers  on 
board  at  the  Hope,  she  sailed  through  the  Downs  on 
Sunday,  January  the  1st,  1786,  and  the  next  morning, 
being  abreast  of  Dunnose,  it  fell  calm. . 

The  ship  was  one  of  the  finest  in  the  service,  and  sup- 
posed to  be  in  the  most  perfect  condition  for  her  voyage ; 
and  the  commander  a  man  of  distinguished  ability  and 
exemplary  character.  His  officers  possessed  unques- 
tionable knowledge  in  their  profession ;  the  crew,  com- 
posed of  the  best  seamen  that  could  be  collected,  was  as 
numerous  as  the  establishment  admits.  The  vessel  like- 
wise contained  a  considerable  body  of  soldiers,  destined 
to  recruit  the  forces  of  the  company  in  Asia. 

The  passengers  were  Miss  Eliza  Pierce,  and  Miss 
Mary  Anne  Pierce,  daughters  of  the  commander;  Miss 
Amy  Paul,  and  Miss  Mary  Paul,  daughters  of  Mr.  Paul, 
of  Somersetshire,  and  relations  of  captain  Pierce  ;  Miss 
Elizabeth  Blackburne,  daughter  of  captain  B.  likewise 
in  the  service  of  the  East  India  company :  Miss  Mary 
Haggard,  sister  to  an  officer  on  the  Madras  establish- 
ment ;  Miss  Ann  Mansell,  a  native  of  Madras,  but  of 
European  parents,  who  had  received  her  education  in 
England ;  and  John  George  Schutz,  Esq.  returning  to 
Asia,  where  he  had  long  resided,  to  collect  a  part  of  his 
fortune  which  he  had  left  behind. 

On  Monday,  the  2d  of  January,  at  three  P.  M.  a 
breeze  springing  up  from  the  south,  they  ran  in  shore  to 
land  the  pilot.  The  weather  coming  on  very  thick  in 
the  evening,  and  the  wind  baffling,  at  nine  they  were 
obliged  to  anchor  in  eighteen  fathoms  water.  They 


196  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 

furled  their  top-sails,  but  were  unable  to  furl  their  courses, 
the  snow  falling  thick  and  freezing  as  it  fell. 

Tuesday,  the  3d,  at  four  o'clock  A.  M.  a  violent  gale 
came  on  from  E.  N.  E.  and  the  ship  driving,  they  were 
obliged  to  cut  their  cables  and  run  out  to  sea.  At  noon, 
they  spoke  with  a  brig  to  Dublin,  and  having  put  their 
pilot  on  board  of  her,  bore  down  channel  immediately. 
At  eight  in  the  evening,  the  wind  freshening,  and  coming 
to  the  southward,  they  reefed  such  sails  as  were  judged 
necessary.  At  ten,  it  blew  a  violent  gale  at  south,  and 
they  were  obliged  to  carry  a  press  of  sail  to  keep  the 
ship  off  the  shore.  In  this  situation,  the  hause-plugs, 
which,  according  to  a  recent  improvement,  were  put  in- 
side, were  washed  in,  and  the  hause-bags  washed  away, 
in  consequence  of  which  they  shipped  a  great  quantity 
of  water  on  the  gun-deck. 

Upon  sounding  the  well,  .they  found  that  the  vessel 
had  sprung  a  leak,  and  had  five  feet  of  water  in  her 
hold ;  they  clued  up  the  main  top-sail,  hauled  up  the 
main-sail,  and  immediately  attempted  to  furl  both,  but 
failed  in  the  attempt.  All  the  pumps  were  set  to  work, 
on  the  discovery  of  the  leak. 

Wednesday  the  4th,  at  two  A.  M.  they  endeavored  to 
wear  the  ship,  but  without  success.  The  mizzen-mast 
was  instantly  cut  away,  and  a  second  attempt  made  to 
wear,  which  succeeded  no  better  than  the  former.  The 
ship  having  now  seven  feet  of  water  in  her  hold,  and  the 
leak  gaming  fast  on  the  pumps,  it  was  thought  expedi- 
ent for  the  preservation  of  the  ship,  which  appeared  to 
be  in  immediate  danger  of  foundering,  to  cut  away  the 
main-mast.  In  it*  fall,  Jonathan  Moreton,  coxswain, 
and  four  men,  were  carried  overboard  by  the  wreck  and 
drowned.  By  eight  o'clock,  the  wreck  was  cleared,  and 
the  ship  got  before  the  wind.  In  this  position  she  was 
kept  about  two  hours,  during  which  the  pumps  reduced 
the  water  in  the  hold  two  feet. 

At  ten  in  the  morning  the  wind  abated  considerably, 
and  the  ship  labored  extremely,  rolled  the  fore  top-mast 
over  on  the  larboard  side,  which,  in  the  fall,  tore  the  fore- 
sail to  pieces.  At  eleven,  the  wind  came  to  the  west- 


LOSS   OF  THE  HALSEWELL  EAST  INDIAMAN.  197 

ward,  and  the  weather  clearing  up,  the  Berry-Head  was 
distinguished,  at  the  distance  of  four  or  five  leagues. 
Having  erected  a  jury  main-mast,  and  set  a  top-gallant- 
sail  for  a  main-sail,  they  bore  up  for  Portsmouth,  and 
employed  the  remainder  of  the  day  in  getting  up  a  jury 
mizzen-mast. 

On  Thursday  the  5th,  at  two  in  the  morning,  the  wind 
came  to  the  southward,  blew  fresh,  and  the  weather 
was  very  thick.  At  noon,  Portland  was  seen,  bearing 
north  by  east,  distant  about  two  or  three  leagues.  At 
eight  at  night,  it  blew  a  strong  gale  at  south ;  the  Port- 
land lights  were  seen  bearing  north-west,  distant  four  or 
five  leauges,  when  they  wore  ship  and  got  her  head  to 
the  westward.  Finding  they  lost  ground  on  that  tack, 
they  wore  her  again,  and  kept  stretching  to  the  eastward, 
in  the  hope  of  weathering  Peverel  Point,  in  which  case 
they  intended  to  have  anchored  in  Studland  bay.  At 
eleven,  they  saw  St.  Alban's  Head,  a  mile  and  a  half  to 
the  leeward,  upon  which  they  took  in  sail  immediately, 
and  let  go  the  small  bower  anchor,  which  brought  up 
the  ship  at  a  whole  cable,  and  she  rode  for  about  an  hour, 
and  then  drove.  They  now  let  go  the  sheet  anchor,  and 
wore  away  a  whole  cable  ;  the  ship  rode  about  two  hours 
longer  when  she  drove  again. 

In  this  situation  the  captain  sent  for  Mr.  Henry  Meri- 
ton,  the  chief  officer,  and  asked  his  opinion  concerning 
the  probability  of  saving  their  lives.  He  replied  with 
equal  candor  and  calmness,  that  he  apprehended  there 
was  very  little  hope,  as  they  were  then  driving  fast  on 
shore,  and  might  expect  every  moment  to  strike.  It 
was  agreed  that  the  boats  could  not  then  be  of  any  use, 
but  it  was  proposed  that  the  officers  should  be  confiden- 
tially requested,  in  case  an  opportunity  presented  itself, 
of  making  it  serviceable,  to  reserve  the  long  boat  for  the 
ladies  and  themselves,  and  this  precaution  was  accord- 
ingly taken. 

About  two,  in  the  morning  of  Friday  the  6th,  the  ship 
still  driving,  and  approaching  the  shore  very  fast,  the 
same  officer  again  went  into  the  cuddy  where  the  cap- 
tain then  was.  Captain  Pierce  expressed  extreme  anxi- 
17* 


198  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS, 

ety  for  the  preservation  of  his  beloved  daughters,  and 
earnestly  asked  Mr.  Meriton,  if  he  could  devise  any 
means  of  saving  them.  The  latter  expressed  his  fears 
that  it  would  be  impossible,  adding,  that  their  only 
chance  would  be  to  wait  for  the  morning,  upon  which 
the  captain  lifted  up  his  hands  in  silent  distress. 

At  this  moment  the  ship  struck  with  such  violence,  as 
to  dash  the  heads  of  those  who  were  standing  in  the 
cuddy  against  the  deck  above  them,  ami  the  fatal  blow 
was  accompanied  by  a  shriek  of  horror,  which  burst  at 
the  same  instant  from  every  quarter  of  the  ship. 

The  seamen,  many  of  whom  had  been  remarkably  in- 
attentive and  remiss  in  their  duty  during  a  great  part  of 
the  storm,  and  had  actually  skulked  into  their  hammocks, 
leaving  the  working  of  the  pump,  and  the  other  labors 
required  by  their  situation,  to  the  officers,  roused  to  a 
sense  of  their  danger,  now  poured  upon  the  deck,  to 
which  the  utmost  endeavors  of  their  officers  could  not 
keep  them  while  their  assistance  might  have  been  use- 
ful. But  it  was  now  too  late ;  the  ship  continued  to 
beat  upon  the  rocks,  and  soon  bilged,  falling  with  her 
broadside  towards  the  shore.  When  the  ship  struck, 
several  of  the  men  caught  hold  of  the  ensign  staff,  under 
the  apprehension  of  her  going  to  pieces  immediately. 

At  this  critical  juncture,  Mr.  Meriton  offered  his  un- 
happy companions  the  best  advice  that  possibly  could 
be  given.  He  recommended  that  they  should  all  repair 
to  that  side  of  the  ship  which  lay  lowest  on  the  rocks, 
and  take  the  opportunities  that  might  then  present  them- 
selves of  escaping  singly  to  the  shore.  He  then  return- 
ed to  the  round-house,  where  all  the  passengers  and 
most  of  the  officers  were  assembled.  The  latter  were 
employed  in  affording  consolation  to  the  unfortunate 
ladies,  and  with  unparalleled  magnanimity,  suffering 
their  compassion  for  the  amiable  companions  of  their  own 
danger,  and  the  dread  of  almost  inevitable  destruction. 
At  this  moment  what  must  have  been  the  feelings  of  a 
father — of  such  a  father  as  captain  Pierce  ? 

The  ship  had  struck  on  the  rocks  near  Seacombe,  on 
the  island  of  Purbeck,  between  Peverel-point  and  St. 


LOSS  OF  THE  HALSEWELL  EAST  INDIAMAN.  199 

Alban's  Head.  On  this  part  of  the  shore  the  cliff  is  of 
immense  height,  and  rises  almost  perpendicularly.  In 
this  particular  spot  the  cliff  is  excavated  at  the  base, 
presenting  a  cavern  ten  or  twelve  yards  in  depth,  and 
equal  in  breadth  to  the  length  of  a  large  ship.  The  sides 
of  the  cavern  are  so  nearly  upright  as  to  be  extremely 
difficult  of  access,  and  the  bottom  of  it  is  strewed  with 
sharp  and  uneven  rocks  which  appear  to  have  been  rent 
from  above  by  some  convulsion  of  nature.  It  was  at 
the  mouth  of  this  cavern  that  the  unfortunate  vessel  lay 
stretched  almost  from  side  to  side,  and  presented  her 
broadside  to  the  horrid  chasm.  But,  at  the  time  the 
ship  struck  it  was  too  dark  to  discover  the  extent  of  their 
danger,  and  the  extreme  horror  of  their  situation. 

The  number  in  the  round-house  was  now  increased 
to  nearly  fifty,  by  the  admission  of  three  black  women 
and  two  soldier's  wives,  with  the  husband  of  one  of  the 
'atter,  though  the  sailors,  who  had  demanded  entrance 
to  get  a  light,  had  been  opposed  and  kept  out  by  the 
officers.  Captain  Pierce  was  seated  on  a  chair,  or  some 
other  movable,  'between  his  two  daughters,  whom  he 
pressed  alternately  to  his  affectionate  bosom.  The  rest 
of  the  melancholy  assembly  were  seated  on  the  deck, 
which  was  strewed  with  musical  instruments,  and  the 
wreck  of  furniture,  boxes,  and  packages. 

Here  Mr.  Meriton,  after  having  lighted  several  wax 
candles,  and  all  the  glass  lanthorns  he  could  find,  like- 
wise took  his  seat^  intending  to  wait  till  daylight,  in  the 
hope  that  it  would  afford  him  an  opportunity  of  effecting 
his  own  escape,  and  also  rendering  assistance  to  the 
partners  of  his  danger.  Bat,  observing  that  the  ladies 
appeared  parched  and  exhausted,  he  fetched  a  basket  of 
oranges  from  some  part  of  the  round-house,  with  which 
he  prevailed  on  some  of  them  to  refresh  themselves. 

On  his  return  he  perceived  a  considerable  alteration 
in  the  appearance  of  the  ship.  The  sides  were  visibly 
giving  way,  the  deck  seemed  to  heave,  and  he  discovered 
other  evident  symptoms  that  she  could  not  hold  together 
much  longer.  Attempting  to  go  forward  to  look  out,  he 
instantly  perceived  that  the  ship  had  separated  in  the 


200  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

middle  and  that  the  fore-part  had  changed  its  position, 
and  lay  rather  farther  out  towards  the  sea.  In  this 
emergency  he  determined  to  seize  the  present  moment, 
as  the  next  might  have,been  charged  with  his  fate,  and 
to  follow  the  example  of  the  crew  and  the  soldiers,  who 
were  leaving  the  ship  in  numbers,  and  making  their  way 
to  a  shore,  with  the  horrors  of  which  they  were  yet  un- 
acquainted. 

To  favor  their  escape  an  attempt  had  been  made  to 
lay  the  ensign-staff  from  the  ship's  side  to  the  rocks,  but 
without  success,  for  it  snapped  to  pieces  before  it  reached 
them.  By  the  light  of  a  lanthorn,  however,  Mr.  Meri- 
ton  discovered  a  spar,  which  appeared  to  be  laid  from 
the  ship's  side  to  the  rocks,  and  upon  which  he  deter- 
mined to  attempt  his  escape.  He  accordingly  lay  down 
upon  it,  and  thrust  himself  forward,  but  soon  found  that 
the  spar  had  no  communication  with  the  rock.  He 
reached  the  end  and  then  slipped  off,  receiving  a  vio- 
lent contusion  in  his  fall.  Before  he  could  recover  his 
legs,  he  was  washed  off  by  the  surge,  in  which  he 
supported  himself  by  swimming  till  the  returning  wave 
dashed  him  against  the  back  of  the  cavern.  Here  he 
lay  hold  of  a  small  projection  of  the  rock,  but  was  so  be- 
numbed- that  he  was  on  the  point  of  quitting  it,  when  a 
seaman,  who  had  already  gained  a  footing,  extended  his 
hand  and  assisted  him  till  he  could  secure  himself  on  a 
little  shelf  of  the  rock,  from  which  he  clambered  still 
higher  till  he  was  out  of  the  reach  of  the  surf. 

Mr.  Rogers,  the  third  mate,  remained  with  the  captain 
and  the  ladies  nearly  twenty  minutes  after  Mr.  Meriton 
had  left  the  ship.  The  latter  had  not  long  quitted  the 
i  jund  house,  before  the  captain  inquired  what  was  be- 
come of  him,  and  Mr.  Rogers  replied,  that  he  had  gone 
upon  deck  to  see  what  could  be  done.  A  heavy  sea 
soon  afterwards  broke  over  the  ship,  upon  which  the 
ladies  expressed  great  concern  at  the  apprehension  of  his 
loss.  Mr.  Rogers  proposed  to  go  and  call  him,  but  this 
they  opposed,  fearful  lest  he  might  share  the  same  fate. 

The  sea  now  broke  in  at  the  fore  part  of  the  ship,  and 
reached  as  far  as  the  main-mast.  Captain  Pierce  and 


LOSS  OF  THE  HALSEWELL  EAST  INDIAMAN.  201 

Mr.  Rogers  then  went  together,  with  a  lamp,  to  the  stern 
gallery,  where,  after  viewing  the  rocks,  the  captain  ask- 
ed Mr.  Rogers  if  he  thought  there  was  any  possibility 
of  saving  the  girls.  He  replied,  he  feared  not ;  for  they 
could  discover  nothing  but  the  black  surface  of  the  per- 
pendicular rock,  and  not  the  cavern  which  afforded  shel- 
ter to  those  who  had  escaped.  They  then  returned  to 
the  round  house,  where  captain  Pierce  again  seated  him- 
self between  his  two  daughters,  struggling  to  suppress 
the  parental  tear  which  then  started  into  his  eye. 

The  sea  continuing  to  break  in  very  fast,  Mr.  Rogers, 
Mr.  Schutz,  and  Mr.  M'Manus,  a  midshipman,  with  a 
view  to  attempt  their  escape,  made  their  way  to  the 
poop.  They  had  scarcely  reached  it,  when  a  heavy  sea 
breaking  over  the  wreck,  the  round  house  gave  way, 
and  they  heard  the  ladies  shriek  at  intervals,  as  if  the 
water  had  reached  them  ;  the  noise  of  the  sea  at  other 
times  drowned  their  voices. 

Mr.  Brimer  had  followed  Mr.  Rogers  to  the  poop, 
where,  on  the  coming  of  the  fatal  sea,  they  jointly  seiz- 
ed a  hen-coop,  and  the  same  wave  which  whelmed 
those  who  remained  below  in  destruction,  carried  him 
and  his  companion  to  the  rock,  on  which  they  were 
dashed  with  great  violence,  and  miserably  bruised. 

On  this  rock  were  twenty-seven  men  ;  but  it  was  low 
water,  and  being  convinced  that,  upon  the  flowing  of  Ihe 
tide,  they  must  all  be  washed  off,  many  endeavored  to 
get  to  the  back  or  sides  of  the  cavern  beyond  the  reach 
of  the  returning  sea.  Excepting  Mr.  Rogers  and  Mr. 
Brimer,  scarcely  more  than  six  succeeded  in  this  attempt. 
Of  the  remainder,  some  experienced  the  fate  they  sought 
to  avoid,  others  perished  in  endeavoring  to  get  into  the 
cavern. 

Mr.  Rogers  and  Mr.  Brimer,  however,  having  reached 
the  cavern,  climbed  up  the  rock,  on  the  narrow  shelves 
of  which  they  fixed  themselves.  The  former  got  so 
near  to  his  friend,  Mr.  Meriton,  as  to  exchange  congratu- 
lations with  him ;  but  between  these  gentlemen,  there 
were  about  twenty  men,  none  of  whom  could  stir 
but  at  the  most  imminent  hazard  of  his  life.  When 


202  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS, 

Mr.  Rogers  reached  this  station,  his  strength  was  so 
nearly  exhausted,  that  had  the  struggle  continued  a  few 
minutes  longer  he  must  inevitably  have  perished. 

They  soon  found  that  though  many  who  had  reached 
the  rocks  below,  had  perished  in  attempting  to  ascend, 
yet  that  a  considerable  number  of  the  crew,  seamen,  sol- 
diers, and  some  of  the  inferior  officers,  were  in  the  same 
situation  with  themselves.  What  that  situation  was, 
they  had  still  to  learn.  They  had  escaped  immediate 
death  ;  but  they  were  yet  to  encounter  a  thousand  hard- 
ships for  the  precarious  chance  of  escape.  Some  part  of 
the  ship  was  still  discernible,  and  they  cheered  them- 
selves in  this  dreary  situation,  with  the  hope  that  it 
would  hold  together  till  day  break.  Amidst  their  own 
misfortunes,  the  sufferings  of  the  females  filled  their  minds 
with  the  acutest  anguish ;  every  returning  sea  increased 
their  apprehensions  for  the  safety  of  their  amiable  and 
helpless  companions. 

But,  alas  !  too  soon  were  these  apprehensions  realized. 
A  few  minutes  after  Mr.  Rogers  had  gained  the  rock, 
a  general  shriek,  in  which  the  voice  of  female  distress 
.was  lamentably  distinguishable,  announced  the  dreadful 
catastrophe !  In  a  few  moments,  all  was  hushed,  ex- 
cepting the  warring  winds  and  the  dashing  waves.  The 
wreck  was  whelmed  in  the  bosom  of  the  deep,  and  not 
an  atom  of  it  was  ever  discovered.  Thus  perished  the 
Halsewell,  arid  with  her,  worth,  honor,  skill,  beauty, 
and  accomplishments  ! 

This  stroke  was  a  dreadful  aggravation  of  wo  to  the 
trembling  and  scarcely  half-saved  wretches,  who  were 
clinging  about  the  sides  of  the  horrid  cavern.  They  felt 
for  themselves,  but  they  wept  for  wives,  parents,  fathers, 
brothers,  sisters, — perhaps  lovers  ! — all  cut  off  from  their 
dearest,  fondest  hopes ! 

Their  feelings  were  not  less  agonized  by  the  subse- 
quent events  of  that  ill-fated  night.  Many  who  had 
gained  the  precarious  stations  on  the  rocks,  exhausted 
with  fatigue,  weakened  by  bruises,  and  benumbed  with 
cold,  quitted  their  hold,  and  falling  headlong,  either  upon 
the  rocks  below,  or  into  the  surf,  perished  beneath  the 


LOSS    OF   THE   HALSEWELL   EAST   INDIAMAN.  203 

feet  of  their  wretched  associates,  and  by  their  dying 
groans  and  loud  acclamations,  awakened  terrific  appre- 
hensions of  a  similar  fate  in  the  survivors. 

At  length,  after  three  hours  of  the  keenest  misery,  the 
day  broke  on  them,  but,  far  from  bringing  with  it  the 
expected  relief,  it  served  only  to  discover  to  them  all  the 
horrors  of  their  situation.  They  were  convinced,  that 
had  the  country  been  alarmed  by  the  guns  of  distress, 
which  they  continued  to  fire  several  hours  before  the 
ship  struck,  but,  which,  from  the  violence  of  the  storm, 
were  unheard,  they  could  neither  be  observed  by  the 
people  above,  as  they  were  completely  ingulphed  in  the 
cavern,  and  overhung  by  the  cliff;  nor  was  any  part  of 
the  wreck  remaining  to  indicate  their  probable  place  of 
refuge.  Below,  no  boat  could  live  to  search  them  out, 
and  had  it  been  possible  to  acquaint  those  who  were 
willing  to  assist  them,  with  their  exact  situation,  they 
were  at  a  loss  to  conceive  how  any  ropes  could  be  con- 
veyed into  the  cavern  to  facilitate  their  escape. 

The  only  method,  that  afforded  any  prospect  of  suc- 
cess, was  to  creep  along  the  side  to  its  outer  extremity, 
to  turn  the  corner  on  a  ledge  scarcely  as  broad  as  a  man's 
hand,  and  to  climb  up  the  almost  perpendicular  precipi- 
ces, nearly  two  hundred  feet  in  height.  In  this  despe- 
rate attempt,  some  succeeded,  while  others,  trembling 
with  terror,  and  exhausted  with  bodily  and  mental  fa- 
tigue, lost  their  precarious  footing,  and  perished. 

The  first  men  who  gained  the  summit  of  the  cliff  were 
the  cook,  and  James  Thompson,  a  quarter-master.  By 
their  individual  exertions  they  reached  the  top,  and  in- 
stantly hastened  to  the  nearest  house,  to  make  known 
the  situation  of  their  fellow-sufferers.  Eastington,  the 
habitation  of  Mr.  Garland,  steward,  or  agent,  to  the  pro- 
prietors of  the  Purbeck  quarries,  was  the  house  at  which 
they  first  arrived.  That  gentleman  immediately  assem- 
bled the  workmen  under  his  direction,  and  with  the  most 
zealous  humanity  exerted  every  effort  for  the  preserva- 
tion of  the  surviving  part  of  the  crew  of  the  unfortunate 
ship. 

Mr.    Meriton  had,   by  this  time,  almost  reached  the 


204  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

edge  of  the  precipice.  A  soldier,  who  preceded  him, 
stood  upon  a  small  projecting  rock,  or  stone,  and  upon 
the  same  stone  Mr.  Meriton  had  fastened  his  hands,  to 
assist  his  progress.  Just  at  this  moment  the  quarrymen 
arrived,  and  seeing  a  man  so  nearly  within  their  reach 
they  dropped  a  rope,  of  which  he  immediately  laid  hold. 
By  a  vigorous  effort  to  avail  himself  of  the  advantage, 
he  loosened  the  stone,  which  giving  way,  Mr.  Meriton 
must  have  been  precipitated  to  the  bottom,  had  not  a 
rope  been  lowered  to  him  at  the  instant,  which  he  seized, 
while  in  the  act  of  falling,  and  was  safely  drawn  to  the 
summit. 

The  fate  of  Mr.  Brimer  was  peculiarly  severe.  He 
had  been  married  only  nine  days  before  the  ship  sailed, 
to  the  daughter  of  Captain  Norman,  of  the  Royal  Navy, 
came  on  shore,  as  it  has  been  observed,  with  Mr.  Rogers, 
and,  like  him,  got  up  the  side  of  the  cavern.  Here  he 
remained  till  the  morning,  when  he  crawled  out ;  a  rope 
was  thrown  him,  but  he  was  either  so  benumbed  with 
the  cold  as  to  fasten  it  about  him  improperly,  or  so  agi- 
tated-as  to  neglect  to  fasten  it  at  all.  Whatever  was  the 
cause,  the  effect  proved  fatal ;  at  the  moment  of  his  sup- 
posed preservation  he  fell  from  his  stand,  and  was  unfor- 
tunately dashed  to  pieces,  in  sight  of  those  who  could 
only  lament  the  deplorable  fate  of  an  amiable  man  and 
skilful  officer. 

The  method  of  affording  help  was  remarkable,  and 
does  honor  to  the  humanity  and  intrepidity  of  the  quar- 
rymen. The  distance  from  the  top  of  the  rock  to  the 
cavern,  over  which  it  projected,  was  at  least  one  hundred 
feet :  ten  of  these  formed  a  declivity  to  the  edge,  and  the 
remainder  was  perpendicular.  On  the  very  brink  of  this 
precipice  stood  two  daring  fellows,  with  a  rope  tied  round 
them,  and  fastened  above  to  a  strong  iron  bar  fixed  into 
the  ground.  Behind  these,  in  like  manner,  stood  others, 
two  and  two.  A  strong  rope,  likewise  properly  secured, 
passed  between  them,  by  which  they  might  hold,  and 
support  themselves  from  falling.  Another  rope,  with  a 
noose  ready  fixed,  was  then  let  down  below  the  cavern, 
and  the  wind  blowing  hard,  it  was  sometimes  forced 


LOSS  OF  THE  HALSEWELL    EAST  INDIAMAN.  205 

under  the  projecting  rock,  so  that  the  sufferers  could 
reach  it  \Vithout  crawling  to  the  edge.  Whoever  laid 
hold  of  it,  put  the  noose  round  his  waist,  and  was  drawn 
up  with  the  utmost  care  and  caution  by  their  intrepid 
deliverers. 

In  this  attempt,  however,  many  shared  the  fate  of  the 
unfortunate  Mr.  Brimer.  Unable,  through  cold,  pertur- 
bation of  mind,  weakness,  or  the  inconvenience  of  the 
stations  they  occupied,  to  avail  themselves  of  the  succor 
that  was  offered  them,  they  were  precipitated  from  the 
stupendous  cliff,  and  either  dashed  to  pieces  on  the  rocks, 
or  falling  into  the  surge,  perished  in  the  waves. 

Among  these  unhappy  sufferers,  the  death  of  a  drum- 
mer was  attended  with  circumstances  of  peculiar  dis- 
tress. Being  either  washed  off  the  rocks  by  the  sea,  or 
falling  into  the  surf,  he  was  carried  by  the  returning 
waves  beyond  the  breakers.  His  utmost  efforts  to  regain 
them  were  ineffectual,  he  was  drawn  further  out  to  sea, 
and  being  a  remarkably  good  swimmer,  continued  to 
struggle  with  the  waves,  in  the  view  of  his  commiserat- 
ing companions,  till  his  strength  was  exhausted,  and  he 
sank, — to  rise  no  more  ! 

It  was  late  in  the  day  when  all  the  survivors  were 
carried  to  a  place  of  safety,  excepting  William  Trenton, 
a  soldier,  who  remained  on  his  perilous  stand  till  the 
morning  of  Saturday,  the  7th,  exposed  to  the  united  hor- 
rors of  extreme  personal  danger,  and  the  most  acute 
disquietude  of  mind. 

The  surviving  officers,  seamen,  and  soldiers,  being 
assembled  at  the  house  of  their  benevolent  deliverer, 
Mr.  Garland,  they  were  mustered,  and  found  to  amount 
to  74,  out  of  more  than  240,  which  was  nearly  the  num- 
ber of  the  crew  and  passengers  when  she  sailed  through 
the  Downs.  Of  the  rest,  it  is  supposed  that  fifty  or  more 
sank  with  the  Captain  and  the  ladies  in  the  round  house, 
and  that  upwards  of  seventy  reached  the  rocks,  but 
were  washed  off,  or  perished  in  falling  from  the  cliffs. 
All  those  who  reached  the  summit  survived,  excepting 
two  or  three,  who  expired  while  being  drawn  up,  and 
a  black  who  died  a  few  hours  after  he  was  brought  to 
18 


206  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

the  house.  Many,  however,  were  so  miserably  bruised, 
that  their  lives  were  doubtful,  and  it  was  a  considerable 
time  before  they  perfectly  recovered  their  strength. 

The  benevolence  and  generosity  of  the  master  of  the 
Crown  Inn,  at  Blanford,  deserves  the  highest  praise. 
When  the  distressed  seamen  arrived  at  that  town  he 
sent  for  them  all  to  his  house,  and  having  given  them  the 
refreshment  of  a  comfortable  dinner,  he  presented  each 
man  with  half  a  crown  to  help  him  on  his  journey. 


LOSS  OF  THE  NOTTINGHAM  GALLEY, 
OF  LONDON. 

•  THE  Nottingham  Galley,  of  and  from  London,  of  120 
tons,  ten  guns,  fourteen  men,  John  Dean,  commander, 
having  taken  in  cordage  in  England,  and  butter,  cheese, 
&c.  in  Ireland,  sailed  for  Boston  in  New-England,  the 
25th  of  September,  1710.  Meeting  with  contrary  winds 
and  bad  weather,  it  was  the  beginning  of  December,  when 
we  first  made  land  to  the  eastward  of  Piscataqua,  and 
proceeding  southward  for  the  bay  of  Massachusetts,  un- 
der a  hard  gale  of  wind  at  northeast,  accompanied  with 
rain,  hail  and  snow  ;  having  no  observation  for  ten  or 
twelve  days,  we,  on  the  llth,  handed  all  our  sails,  ex- 
cepting our  fore-sail  and  maintop  sail  double  reefed,  or- 
dering one  hand  forward  to  look  out.  Between  eight  and 
nine  o'clock,  going  forward  myself,  I  saw  the  breakers 
ahead,  whereupon  I  called  out  to  put  the  helm  hard  to 
starboard,  but  before  the  ship  could  wear,  we  struck  upon 
the  east  end  of  the  rock,  called  Boon  Island,  four  leagues 
to  the  Eastward  of  Piscataqua. 

The  second  or  third  sea  heaved  the  ship  alongside  of 
it ;  running  likewise  so  very  high,  and  the  ship  laboring 
so  excessively,  that  we  were  not  able  to  stand  upon  deck ; 
and  though  it  was  not  distant  above  thirty  or  forty  yards, 
yet  the  weather  was  so  thick  and  dark,  that  we  could  not 
see  the  rock,  so  that  we  were  justly  thrown  into  con- 


LOSS  OF  THE   NOTTINGHAM   GALLEY,    OF   LONDON.          207 

sternation  at  the  melancholy  prospect  of  immeidately 
perishing  in  the  sea.  I  presently  called  all  hands  down 
to  the  cabin,  where  we  continued  a  few  minutes,  earnestly 
supplicating  the  mercy  of  heaven;  but  knowing  that 
prayers,  alone,  are  vain,  I  ordered  all  up  again  to  cut 
the  masts  by  the  board,  but  several  were  so  oppressed  by 
the  terrors  of  conscience  that  they  were  incapable  of  any 
exertion.  We,  however  went  upon  deck,  cut  the  wea- 
thermost  shrouds,  and  the  ship  heeling  toward  the  rocks, 
the  force  of  the  sea  soon  broke  the  masts,  so  that  they 
fell  towards  the  shore. 

One  of  the  men  went  out  on  the  howsprit,  and  return- 
ing, told  me  he  saw  something  black  ahead,  and  would 
venture  to  go  on  shore,  accompanied  with  any  other  per- 
son: upon  which  I  desired 'some  of  the  best  swimmers 
(my  mate  and  one  more)  to  go  with  him,  and  if  they 
gained  the  rock,  to  give  notice  by  their  calls,  and  direct 
us  to  the  most  secure  place.  Recollecting  some  money 
and  papers  that  might  be  of  use,  also  ammunition,  bran- 
dy, &c.,  I  then  went  down  and  opened  the  place  in  which 
they  were  ;  but  the  ship  bilging,  her  decks  opened,  her 
hack  broke,  and  her  beams  gave  way,  so  that  the  stern 
sank  under  water.  I  therefore  hastened  forward  to  es- 
cape instant  death,  and  having  heard  nothing  of  the  men 
who  had  gone  before,  concluded  that  they  were  lost. 
Notwithstanding,  I  was  under  the  necessity  of  making 
the  same  adventure  upon  the  foremast,  moving  gradu- 
ally forward  betwixt  every  sea,  till  at  last  quitting  it,  I 
threw  myself  with  all  the  strength  I  had,  toward  the 
rock  ;  hut  it  being  low  water,  and  the  rock  extremely 
slippery,  I  could  get  no  hold,  and  tore  my  fingers,  hands, 
and  arms,  in  the  most  deplorable  manner,  every  sea 
fetching  me  off  again,  so  that  it  was  with  the  utmost 
peril  and  difficulty  that  I  got  safe  on  shore  at  last.  The 
rest  of  the  men  ran  the  same  hazards,  but  through  the 
mercy  of  Providence  we  all  escaped  with  our  lives. 

After  endeavoring  to  discharge  the  salt  water  and 
creeping  a  little  way  up  the  rock,  I  heard  the  voices  of 
the  three  men  above  mentioned,  and  by  ten  o'clock  we 
all  met  together,  when,  with  grateful  hearts,  we  returned 


208 


REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 


thanks  to  Providence  for  our  deliverance  from  such  im- 
minent danger.  We  then  endeavored  to  gain  shelter  to 
the  leeward  of  the  rock,  but  found  it  so  small  and  incon- 
siderable, that  it  would  afford  none,  (being  about  one 
hundred  yards  long  and  fifty  broad,)  and  so  very  craggy 
that  we  could  not  walk  to  keep  ourselves  warm,  the 
*  weather  still  continuing  extremely  cold,  with  snow  and 
rain. 

As  soon  as  day  light  appeared  I  went  toward  the  place 
where  we  came  on  shore,  not  doubting  but  that  we 
should  meet  with  provisions  enough  from  the  wreck  for 
our  support,  but  found  only  some  pieces  of  the  masts 
and  yards  among  some  old  junk  and  cables  heaped  to- 
gether, which  the  anchors  had  prevented  from  being 
carried  away,  and  kept  moving  about  the  rock  at  some 
distance.  Part  of  the  ship's  stores  with  some  pieces  of 
plank  and  timber,  old  sails,  canvas,  &c.  drove  on  shore, 
but  nothing  eatable,  excepting  three  small  cheeses  which 
we  picked  up  among  the  rock-weed. 

We  used  our  utmost  endeavors  to  get  fire,  having  a  steel 
and  flint  with  us,  and  also  by  a  drill,  with  a  very  swift 
motion ;  but  having  nothing  which  had  not  been  water- 
soaked,  all  our  attempts  proved  ineffectual. 

At  night  we  stowed  ourselves  under  our  canvas,  in  the 
best  manner  possible,  to  keep  each  other  warm.  The 
next  day  the  weather  clearing  a  little,  and  inclining  to  a 
frost,  I  went  out,  and  perceiving  the  main  land,  I  knew 
where  we  were,  and  encouraged  my  men  with  the  hope 
of  being  discovered  by  fishing  shallops,  desiring  them  to 
search  for  and  bring  up  any  planks,  carpenter's  tools, 
and  stores  they  could  find,  in  order  to  build  a  tent  and  a  . 
boat.  The  cook  then  complained  that  he  was  almost 
starved,  and  his  countenance  discovering  his  illness,  I 
ordered  him  to  remain  behind  with  two  or  three  more 
the  frost  had  seized.  About  noon  the  men  acquainted 
me  that  he  was  dead ;  we  therefore  laid  him  in  a  conve- 
nient place  for  the  sea  to  carry  him  away.  None  men- 
tioned eating  him,  though  several,  with  myself,  after- 
wards acknowledged  that  they  thought  of  it. 


Loss  OF  THE  NOTTINGHAM  GALLEY,  OP  LONDON.       209 

After  we  had  been  in  this  situation  two  or  three  days, 
the  frost  being  very  severe,  and  the  weather  extremely 
cold,  it  affected  most  of  our  hands  and  feet  to  such  a 
degree  as  to  take  away  the  sense  of  feeling,  and  render 
them  almost  useless  ;  so  benumbing  and  discoloring  them 
as  gave  us  just  reason  to  apprehend  mortification.  We 
pulled  off  our  shoes,  and  cut  off  our  boots ;  but  in  getting 
off  our  stockings,  many,  whose  legs  were  blistered,  pulled 
off  skin  and  .all,  and  some,  the  nails  of  their  toes.  We 
then  wrapped  up  our  legs  and  feet  as  warmly  as  we  could 
in  oakum  and  Canvas. 

Now  we  began  to  build  our  tent  in  a  triangular  form, 
each  side  being  about  eight  feet,  covered  it  with  the  old 
Sails  and  canvas  that  came  on  shore,  having  just  room 
for  each  to  lie  down  on  one  side,  so  that  none  could 
turn,  unless  all  turned,  which  was  about  every  two 
hours,  when  notice  was  given.  We  also  fixed  a  staff  to 
the  top  of  our  tent,  upon  which,  as  often  as  the  weather 
would  permit,  we  hoisted  a  piece  of  cloth  in  the  form  of 
a  flag,  in  order  to  discover  ourselves  to  any  vessel  that 
might  approach. 

We  then  commenced  the  building  of  our  boat  with 
planks  and  timber  belonging  to  the  wreck.'  Our  only 
tools  were  the  blade  of  a  cutlass,  made  into  a  saw  with 
our  knives,  a  hammer,  and  a  caulking  mallet.  We  found 
some  nails  in  the  clefts  of  the  rock,  and  obtained  others 
from  the  sheathing.  We  laid  three  planks  flat  for  the 
bottom,  and  two  up  each  side,  fixed  to  stanchions  and 
let  into  the  bottom  timbers,  with  two  short  pieces  at  each 
end,  and  one  breadth  of  new  Holland  duck  round  the 
sides  to  keep  out  the  spray  of  the  sea.  We  caulked  all 
we  could  with  oakum  drawn  from  the  old  junk,  and  in 
other  places  filled  up  the  spaces  with  long  pieces  of 
canvas,  all  of  which  we  secured  in  the  best  manner  pos- 
sible. We  found  also  some  sheet  lead  and  pump-leather, 
which  proved  of  use.  We  fixed  a  short  mast  and  square 
sail,  with  seven  paddles  to  row,  and  a  longer  one  to 
steer  with.  But  our  carpenter,  whose  services  were  now 
most  wanted,  was,  on  account  of  illness,  scarcely  capa- 
ble of  affording  us  either  assistance  or  advice ;  and  all 
18* 


210  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECK*. 

the  rest,  excepting  myself  and  two  others,  were  so  be- 
numbed and  feeble  as  to  be  unable  to  move.     The  wea- 
ther, too,  was  so  extremely  cold,  that    we  could  seldom 
stay  out  of  the  tent  more  than  four  hours  in  the  day 
and  some  days  we  could  do  nothing  at  all. 

When  we  had  been  upon  the  rock  about  a  week,  with- 
out any  kind  of  provisions,  excepting  the  cheese  above- 
mentioned,  and*  some  beef  bones,  which  we  eat,  aftei 
beating  them  to  pieces,  we  saw  three  boats,  about  five 
leagues  from  us,  which,  as  may  easily  be  imagined,  re- 
joiced us  not  a  little,  believing  that  the  period  of  our 
deliverance  had  arrived.  I  directed  all  the  men  to  creep 
out  of  the  tent  and  halloo  together,  as  loud  as  their 
strength  would  permit.  We  likewise  made  all  the  sig- 
nals we  could,  but  in  vain,  for  they  neither  heard  nor 
saw  us.  We,  however,  received  no  small  encouragement 
from  the  sight  of  them,  as  they  came  from  the  south- 
west ;  and  the  wind  being  at  north-east  when  we  were 
cast  away,  we  had  reason  to  suppose  that  our  distress 
might  have  been  made  known  by  the  wreck  driving  on 
shore,  and  to  presume  that  they  had  come  out  in  search 
of  us,  and  would  daily  do  so  when  the  weather  should 
permit.  Thus  we  flattered  ourselves  with  the  pleasing 
but  delusive  hope  of  deliverance. 

Just  before  we  had  finished  our  boat,  the  carpenter's 
axe  was  cast  upon  the  rock,  by  which  we  were  enabled  to 
complete  our  work,  but  then  we  had  scarcely  strength 
sufficient  to  get  her  into  the  water. 

About  the  21st  of  December,  the  boat  being  finished, 
the  day  fine,  and  the  water  smoother  than  I  had  yet 
seen  it  since  we  came  there,  we  consulted  who  should 
attempt  to  launch  her;  I  offered  myself  as  one  to  venture 
in  her ;  this  was  agreed  to,  as  I  was  the  strongest,  and 
therefore  the  fittest  to  undergo  the  extremities  to  which 
we  might  possibly  be  reduced.  My  mate  also  offered 
himself,  and  desiring  to  accompany  me,  1  was  permitted 
to  take  him,  together  with  my  brother  and  four  more 
Thus  commending  our  enterprize  to  Providence,  all  thai 
were  able  came  out,  and  with  much  difficulty,  got  our 
poor  patched-up  boat  to  the  water-side.  The  surf  run 


LOSS  OP  THE  NOTTINGHAM  GALLEY,  OP  LONDON.         211 

cling  very  high,  we  were  obliged  to  wade  very  deep  to 
launch  her,  upon  which  I  and  another  got  into  her.  The 
swell  of  the  sea  heaved  her  along  the  shore  and  overset 
upon  us,  whereby  we  again  narrowly  escaped  drowning. 
Our  poor  boat  was  staved  to  pieces,  our  enterprize  totally 
disappointed,  and  our  hopes  utterly  destroyed. 

What  heightened  our  afflictions,  and  served  to  aggra- 
vate our  miserable  prospects,  and  render  our  deliverance 
less  practicable,  we  lost,  with  our  boat,  both  our  axe 
and  hammer,  which  would  have  been  of  great  use  to  us 
if  we  should  afterwards  have  attempted  to  construct  a 
raft.  Yet  we  had  reason  to  admire  the  goodness  of  God 
in  producing  our  disappointment  for  our  safety  ;  for,  that 
afternoon,  the  wind  springing  up,  it  blew  so  hard,  inso- 
much that,  had  we  been  at  sea  in  that  imitation  of  a 
boat,  we  must,  in  all  probability,  have  perished,  and 
those  left  behind,  being  unable  to  help  themselves,  must 
doubtless  soon  have  shared  a  similar  fate. 

We  were  now  reduced  to  the  most  melancholy  and 
deplorable  situation  imaginable ;  almost  every  man  but 
myself  was  weak  to  an  extremity,  nearly  starved  with 
hunger  and  perishing  with  cold ;  their  hands  and  feet 
frozen  and  mortified ;  large  and  deep  ulcers  in  their  legs ; 
the  smell  of  which  was  highly  offensive  to  those  who 
could  not  creep  into  the  air,  and  nothing  to  dress  them 
with  but  a  piece  of  linen  that  was  cast  on  shore.  We 
had  no  fire  :  our  small  stock  of  cheese  was  exhausted, 
and  we  had  nothing  to  support  our  feeble  bodies  but 
rock-weed  and  a  few  muscles,  scarce  and  difficult  to  be 
procured,  at  most  not  above  two  or  three  for  each  man 
a  day ;  so  that  our  miserable  bodies  were  perishing,  and 
our  disconsolate  spirits  overpowered  by  the  deplorable 
prospect  of  starving,  without  any  appearance  of  relief. 
To  aggravate  our  situation,  if  possible,  we  had  reason  to 
apprehend,  lest  the  approaching  springtide  if  accompani- 
ed with  high  winds,  should  entirely  overflow  us;  The 
horrors  of  such  a  situation  it  is  impossible  to  describe ; 
the  pinching  cold  and  hunger ;  extremity  of  weakness 
and  pain;  racking  and  horrors  of  conscience  in -many ; 
and  the  prospect  of  a  certain,  painful,  and  lingering 


212  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

death,  without  even  the  most  remote  views  of  delive- 
rance !  This  is,  indeed,  the  height  of  misery ;  yet  such 
alas !  was  our  deplorable  case :  insomuch  that  the 
greater  part  of  our  company  were  ready  to  die  of  horror 
and  despair. 

For  my  part,  I  did  my  utmost  to  encourage  myself, 
exhort  the  rest  to  trust  in  God,  and  patiently  await  their 
deliverance.  As  a  slight  alleviation  of  our  fate,  Provi- 
dence directed  towards  our  quarters  a  sea-gull,  which 
my  mate  struck  down  and  joyfully  brought  to  me.  I 
divided  it  into  equal  portions,  and  though  raw,  and 
scarcely  affording  a  mouthful  for  each,  yet  we  received 
and  eat  it  thankfully. 

The  last  method  of  rescuing  ourselves  we  could  possi- 
bly devise,  was  to  construct  a  raft  capable  of  carrying 
two  men.  This  proposal  was  strongly  supported  by  a 
Swede,  one  of  our  men,  a  stout,  brave  fellow,  who,  since 
our  disaster,  had  lost  the  use  of  both  his  feet  by  the 
frost.  He  frequently  importuned  me  to  attempt  our  de- 
liverance in  that  way,  offering  himself  to  accompany 
me,  or,  if  I  refused,  to  go  alone.  After  deliberate  con- 
sideration we  resolved  upon  a  raft,  but  found  great  diffi- 
culty in  clearing  the  fore-yard,  of  which  it  was  chiefly 
to  be  made,  from  the  junk,  as  our  working  hands  were 
so  few  and  weak. 

This  done,  we  split  the  yard,  and  with  the  two  parts 
made  side-pieces,  fixing  others,  and  adding  some  of  the 
lightest  planks  we  could  find,  first  spiking,  and  after- 
wards making  them  firm.  The  raft  was  four  feet  in 
breadth.  We  fixed  up  a  mast,  and  out  of  two  ham- 
mocks that  were  driven  on  shore  we  made  a  sail,  with  a 
paddle  for  each  man,  and  a  spare  one  in  case  of  neces- 
sity. This  difficulty  being  thus  surmounted,  the  Swede 
frequently  asked  me  whether  I  designed  to  accompany 
him,  giving  me  to  understand,  that  if  I  declined,  there 
was  another  ready  to  offer  himself  for  the  enterprise. 

About  this  time  we  saw  a  sail  come  out  of  Piscataqua 
river,  about  seven  leagues  to  the  westward.  We  again 
made  all  the  signals  we  could, but  the  wind  being  north- 
west, and  the  ship  standing  to  the  eastward,  she  was 


LOSS  OP  THE  NOTTINGHAM  GALLEY  OF  LONDON.    213 

presently  out  of  sight,  without  ever  coming  near  us, 
which  proved  an  extreme  mortification  to  our  hopes. 
The  next  day,  being  moderate,  with  a  small  breeze  to- 
ward the  shore  in  the  afternoon,  and  the  raft  being 
wholly  finished,  the  two  men  were  very  anxious  to  have 
it  launched ;  but  this  was  as  strenuously  opposed  by  the 
mate,  because  it  was  so  late,  being  two  in  the  afternoon. 
They,  however,  urged  the  lightness  of  the  nights,  begged 
me  to  suffer  them  to  proceed,  and  I  at  length  consented. 
They  both  got  upon  the  raft,  when  the  swell,  rolling 
very  high,  soon  overset  them,  as  it  did  our  boat.  The 
Swede  not  daunted  by  this  accident,  swam  on  shore,  but 
the  other  being  no  swimmer,  continued  some  time  under 
water ;  as  soon  as  he  appeared,  I  caught  hold  of  and 
saved  him,  but  he  was  so  discouraged  that  he  was 
afraid  to  make  a  second  attempt.  I  desired  the  Swede 
to  wait  for  a  more  favorable  opportunity,  but  he  continued 
resolute,  begged  me  to  go  with  him,  or  help  him  to  turn 
the  raft,  and  he  would  go  alone. 

By  this  time  another  man  came  4°wn  an(l  offered  to 
adventure ;  when  they  were  upon  the  raft,  I  launched 
them  off,  they  desiring  us  to  go  to  prayers,  and  also  to 
watch  what  became  of  them.  I  did  so,  and  by  sunset 
judged  them  half-way  to  the  mainland  and  supposed  that 
they  might  reach  the  shore  by  two  in  the  morning. 
They,  however,  probably  fell  in  with  some  breakers,  or 
were  overset  by  the  violence  of  the  sea  and  perished  ;  for, 
two  days  afterwards,  the  raft  was  found  on  shore,  and 
one  man  dead  about  a  mile  from  it,  with  a  paddle  fas- 
tened to  his  wrist ;  but  the  Swede,  who  was  so  very  for- 
ward to  adventure,  was  never  heard  of  more. 

We,  who  were  left  on  the  desolate  island,  ignorant  of 
what  had  befallen  them,  waited  daily  for  deliverance. 
Our  expectations  were  the  more  raised  by  a  smoke  we 
observed,  two  days  afterwards  in  the  woods,  which  was 
the  signal  appointed  to  be  made  if  they  arrived  safely. 
This  continued  every  day,  and  we  were  willing  to  be- 
lieve that  it  was  made  on  our  account,  though  we  saw 
no  appearance  of  any  thing  toward  our  relief.  We  sup- 
posed that  the  delay  was  occasioned  because  they  were 


214  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

not  able  to  procure  a  vessel  so  soon  as,  we  desired,  and 
this  idea  served  to  bear  up  our  spirits  and  to  support  us 
greatly. 

Still  our  principal  want  was  that  of  provision,  having 
nothing  to  eat  but  rock  weed,  and  a  very  few  muscles  ; 
indeed,  when  the  spring-tide  was  over,  we  could  scarce- 
ly get  any  at  all.  I  went  myself  as  no  other  person  was 
able,  several  days  at  low  water,  and  could  find  no  more 
than  two  or  three  apiece.  I  was  frequently  in  danger 
of  losing  my  hands  and  arms,  by  putting  them  so  often 
into  the  water  after  the  muscles,  and  when  obtained, 
my  stomach  refused  them,  and  preferred  rock  weed. 

Upon  our  first  arrival  we  saw  several  seals  upon  the 
rocks,  and  supposing  they  might  harbor  there  in  the 
night,  I  walked  round  at  midnight,  but  could  never  meet 
with  any  thing.  We  saw  likewise,  a  great  number  of 
birds,  which  perceiving  us  daily  there,  would  never 
lodge  upon  the  rock,  so  that  we  caught  none. 

This  disappointment  was  severe,  and  tended  to  aggra- 
vate our  miseries  still  more;  but  it  was  particularly 
afflicting  to  a  brother  I  had  with  me,  and  another  young 
gentleman,  neither  of  whom  had  before  been  at  sea,  or 
endured  any  kind  of  hardship.  They  were  now  reduc- 
ed to  the  last  extremity,  having  no  assistance  but  what 
they  received  from  me. 

Part  of  a  green  hide,  fastened  to  a  piece  of  the  main- 
yard,  being  thrown  up  by  the  sea,  the  men  importuned 
me  to  bring  it  to  the  tent,  which  being  done,  we  minced 
it  small  and  swallowed  it 

About  this  time  I  set  the  men  to  open  junk,  and  when 
the  weather  would  permit  I  thatched  the  tent  with  the 
rope  yarn  in  the  best  manner  I  was  able,  that  it  might 
shelter  us  the  better  from  the  extremities  of  the  wea- 
ther. This  proved  of  so  much  service  as  to  turn  two  or 
three  hours  rain,  and  preserve  us  from  the  cold,  pinch- 
ing winds  which  were  always  very  severe  upon  us. 

Toward  the  latter  part  of  December,  our  carpenter,  a 
fat  man,  and  naturally  of  a  dull,  heavy,  phlegmatic  dis- 
position, aged  about  forty-seven,  who,  from  our  first 
coming  on  shore,  had  been  constantly  very  ill,  and  lost 


LOSS  OF  THE  NOTTINGHAM  GALLEY,  OF  LONDON.    215 

the  use  of  his  feet,  complained  of  excessive  pain  in  his 
back,  and  stiffness  in  his  neck.  He  was  likewise  almost 
choked  with  phlegm,  for  want  of  strength  to  discharge 
it,  and  appeared  to  draw  near  his  end.  We  prayed  over 
him,  and  used  our  utmost  endeavors  to  be  serviceable 
to  him  in  his  last  moments ;  he  showed  himself  sensible, 
though  speechless,  and  died  that  night.  We  suffered  the 
body  to  remain  till  morning,  when  I  desired  those  who 
were  most  able,  to  remove  it;  creeping  out  myself  to  see 
whether  Providence  had  sent  us  any  thing  to  satisfy  the 
excessive  cravings  of  our  appetites.  Returning  before 
noon,  and  not  seeing  the  dead  body  without  the  tent,  I 
inquired  why  they  had  not  removed  it,  and  received  for 
answer,  they  were  not  all  of  them  able ;  upon  which, 
fastening  a  rope  to  the  body,  I  gave  the  utmost  of  my 
assistance,  and  with  some  difficulty  we  dragged  it  out 
of  the  tent.  But  fatigue,  and  the  consideration  of  our 
misery,  so  overcame  my  spirits,  that  being  ready  to  faint, 
I  crept  into  the  tent,  and  was  no  sooner  there,  than,  to 
add  to  my  trouble,  the  men  began  to  request  my  permis- 
sion to  eat  the  dead  body,  the  better  to  support  their 
lives. 

This  circumstance  was,  of  all  the  trials  I  had  encoun- 
tered, the  most  grievous  and  shocking  : — to  see  myself 
and  company,  who  came  hither  laden  with  provisions 
but  three  weeks  before,  now  reduced  to  such  a  deplora- 
ble situation  ;  two  of  us  having  been  absolutely  starved 
to  death,  while,  ignorant  of  the  fate  of  two  others,  the 
rest,  though  still  living,  were  reduced  to  the  last  extre- 
mity, and  requiring  to  eat  the  dead  for  their  support. 

After  mature  consideration  of  the  lawfulness  or  sin- 
fulness,  on  the  one  hand,  and  absolute  necessity  on  the 
other,  judgment  and  conscience  were  obliged  to  submit 
to  the  more  prevailing  arguments  of  our  craving  appe- 
tites. We,  at  length,  determined  to  satisfy  our  hunger, 
and  support  our  feeble  bodies  with  the  carcass  of  our 
deceased  companion.  I  first  ordered  his  skin,  head, 
hands,  feet,  and  bowels,  to  be  buried  in  the  sea,  and  the 
body  to  be  quartered,  for  the  convenience  of  drying  and 
carriage,  but  again  received  for  answer,  that  none  of 


216  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 

them  being  able,  they  intreated  I  would  perform  that 
labor  for  them.  This  was  a  hard  task ;  but  their  inces- 
sant prayers  and  entreaties  at  last  prevailed  over  my  re- 
luctance, and  by  night  I  had  completed  the  operation. 

I  cut  part  of  the  flesh  into  thin  slices,  and  washing  it 
in  salt  water,  brought  it  to  the  tent  and  obliged  the  men 
to  eat  rock-weed  with  it  instead  of  bread.  My  mate 
and  two  others  refused  to  eat  any  that  night,  but  the 
next  morning  they  complied,  and  earnestly  desired  to  par- 
take with  the  rest. 

I  found  that  they  all  eat  with  the  utmost  avidity,  so 
that  I  was  obliged  to  carry  the  quarters  farther  from  the 
tent,  out  of  their  reach,  lest  they  should  injure  them- 
selves by  eating  too  much,  and  likewise  expend  our 
small  stock  too  soon. 

I  also  limited  each  man  to  an  equal  portion,  that  they 
might  not  quarrel  or  have  cause  to  reflect  on  me  or  one 
another.  This  method  I  was  the  more  obliged  to  adopt, 
because,  in  a  few  days,  I  found  their  dispositions  ^n^ 
tirely  changed,  and  that  affectionate,  peaceable  temper 
they  had  hitherto  manifested,  totally  lost.  Their  eyes 
looked  wild  and  staring,  their  countenances  fierce  and 
barbarous.  Instead  of  obeying -my  commands,  as  they 
had  universally  and  cheerfully  done  before,  I  now  found 
even  prayers  and  entreaties  vain  and  fruitless  ;  nothing 
was  now  to  be  heard  but  brutal  quarrels,  with  horrid 
oaths  and  imprecations,  instead  of  that  quiet  submissive 
spirit  of  prayer  and  supplication  they  had  before  mani- 
fested. 

This,  together  with  the  dismal  prospect  of  future  want, 
obliged  me  to  keep  a  strict  watch  over  the  rest  of  the 
body,  lest  any  of  them,  if  able,  should  get  to  it,  and  if 
that  were  spent  we  should  be  compelled  to  feed  upon 
the  living,  which  we  certainly  must  have  done,  had  we 
remained  in  that  situation  a  few  days  longer. 

The  goodness  of  God  now  began  to  appear,  and  to 
make  provision  for  our  deliverance,  by  putting  it  into 
the  hearts  of  the  good  people  on  the  shore,  to  which  our 
raft  was  driven,  to  come  out  in  search  of  us,  which  they 
did  on  the  2d  of  January,  in  the  morning. 


LOSS  OF  THE  NOTTINGHAM  GALLEY,  OF  LONDON.          217 

Just  as  I  was  creeping  out  of  the  tent  I  saw  a  shallop 
half  way  from  the  shore,  standing  directly  toward  us. 
Our  joy  and  satisfaction,  at  the  prospect  of  such  speedy 
and  unexpected  deliverance,  no  tongue  is  able  to  express, 
nor  thought  to  conceive. 

Our  good  and  welcome  friends  came  to  an  anchor  to 
the  south-west,  at  the  distance  of  about  one  hundred 
yards,  the  swell  preventing  them  from  approaching 
nearer ;  but  their  anchor  coming  home  obliged  them  to 
stand  off  till  about  noon,  waiting  for  smoother  water 
upon  the  flood.  Meanwhile  our  passions  were  differently 
agitated  ;  our  expectations  of  deliverance,  and  fears  of 
miscarriage,  harried  our  weak  and  disordered  spirits 
strangely. 

I  gave  them  an  account  of  all  our  miseries,  excepting 
the  want  of  provisions,  which  I  did  not  mention,  lest  the 
fear  of  being  constrained  by  the  weather  to  remain  with 
us,  might  have  prevented  them  from  coming  on  shore. 
£  earnestly  entreated  them  to  attempt  our  immediate  de- 
liverance, or  at  least  to  furnish  us  if  possible,  with  fire, 
which,  with  the  utmost  hazard  and  difficulty  they  at 
last  accomplished,  by  sending  a  small  canoe,  with  one 
man,  who,  after  great  exertion,  got  on  shore. 

After  helping  him  up  with  his  canoe,  and  seeing  no- 
thing to  eat,  I  asked  him  if  he  could  give  us  fire : — he 
answered  in  the  affirmative,  but  was  so  affrighted  by  my 
thin  and  meagre  appearance  that,  at  first,  he  could 
scarcely  return  me  an  answer.  However,  recollecting 
himself,  after  several  questions  asked  on  both  sides,  he 
went  with  me  to  the  tent,  where  he  was  surprised  to  see 
so  many  of  us  in  such  a  deplorable  condition.  Our  flesh 
was  so  wasted,  and  our  looks  were  so  ghastly  and  fright- 
ful, that  it  was  really  a  very  dismal  spectacle. 

With  some  difficulty  we  made  a  fire,  after  which, 
determining  to  go  on  board  myself  with  the  man,  and  to 
send  for  the  rest,  one  or  two  at  a  time,  we  both  got  into 
the  canoe ;  but  the  sea  immediately  drove  us  against  the 
rock  with  such  violence  that  we  were  overset,  and  being 
very  weak,  it  was  a  considerable  time  before  I  could  re- 
cover myself,  so  that  I  had  again  a  very  narrow  escape 
19 


218       .  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

from  drowning.  The  good  man  with  great  difficulty 
got  on  board  without  me,  designing  to  return  the  next 
day  with  better  conveniences,  if  the  weather  should 
permit. 

It  was  an  afflicting  sight  to  observe  our  friends  in  the 
shallop,  standing  away  for  the  shore  without  us.  But 
God,  who  orders  every  thing  for  the  best,  doubtless  had 
designs  of  preservation  in  denying  us  the  appearance  of 
present  deliverance :  for  the  wind  coming  about  to  south- 
east, it  blew  so  hard  that  the  shallop  was  lost,  and  the 
crew  with  extreme  difficulty,  saved  their  lives.  Had 
we  been  with  them  it  is  more  than  probable  that  we 
should  all  have  perished,  not"  having  strength  sufficient 
to  help  ourselves. 

When  they  had  reached  the  shore  they  immediately 
sent  an  express  to  Portsmouth,  in  Piscataqua,  where  the 
good  people  made  no  delay  in  hastening  to  our  delive- 
rance as  soon  as  the  weather  would  allow.  To  our 
great  sorrow,  and  as  a  farther  trial  of  our  patience,  the 
next  day  continued  very  stormy,  and  though  we  doubted 
not  but  the  people  on  shore  knew  our  condition,  and 
would  assist  us  as  soon  as  possible,  yet  our  flesh  being 
nearly  consumed,  being  without  fresh  water,  and  uncer- 
tain how  long  the  unfavorable  weather  might  continue, 
our  situation  was  extremely  miserable.  We,  however, 
received  great  benefit  from  our  fire,  as  we  could  both 
warm  ourselves  and  broil  our  meat. 

The  next  day,  the  men  being  very  importunate  for 
flesh,  I  gave  them  rather  more  than  usual,  but  not  to 
their  satisfaction.  They  would  certainly  have  eaten  up 
the  whole  at  once,  had  I  not  carefully  watched  them, 
with  the  intention  of  sharing  the  rest  next  morning,  if 
the  weather  continued  bad.  The  wind,  however,  abated 
that  night,  and  early  next  morning  a  shallop  came  for 
us,  with  my  much  esteemed  friends  captain  Long  and 
captain  Purver,  and  three  other  men.  who  brought  a 
large  canoe,  and  in  two  hours  got  us  all  on  board,  being 
obliged  to  carry  almost  all  of  us  upon  their  backs  from 
the  tent  to  the  canoe,  and  fetch  us  off  by  two  or  three  at 
a  time. 


LOSS   OF   THE   DROITS   DE   L5HOMME.  219 

When  we  first  came  on  board  the  shallop,  each  of  us 
eat  a  piece  of  bread,  and  drank  a  dram  of  rum,  and  most 
of  us  were  extremely  sea-sick  :  but  after  we  had  cleans- 
ed our  stomachs  and  tasted  warm  nourishing  food,  we 
became  so  exceeding  hungry  and  ravenous,  that  had  not 
our  friends  dieted  us,  and  limited  the  quantity  for  two 
or  three  days,  we  should  certainly  have  destroyed  our- 
selves with  eating. 

Two  days  after  our  coming  on  shore,  my  apprentice 
lost  the  greater  part  of  one  foot ;  all  the  rest  recovered 
their  limbs,  but  not  their  perfect  use  ;  very  few'  except- 
ing myself,  escaping  without  losing  the  benefit  of  fingers 
or  toes,  though  otherwise  all  were  in  perfect  health. 


LOSS  OF  THE  FRENCH  SHIP  DROITS  DE 
L'HOMME. 

ON  the,  5th  of  January,  1797,  returning  home  on  leave 
of  absence  from  the  West  Indies,  in  the  Cumberland 
letter  of  marque,  for  the  recovery  of  my  health,  saw  a 
large  man-of-war  off  the  coast  of  Ireland,  being  then 
within  four  leagues  of  the  mouth  of  the  river  Shannon. 
She  hoisted  English  colors,  and  decoyed  us  within 
gun-shot,  when  she  substituted  the  tri-colored  flag,  and 
took  us.  She  proved  to  be  les  Droits  de  L'Homme,  of 
74  guns,  commanded  by  the  ci  devant  baron,  now  citi- 
zen La  Crosse,'and  had  separated  from  a  fleet  of  men-of- 
war,  on  board  of  which  were  twenty  thousand  troops, 
intended  to  invade  Ireland.  On  board  of  this  ship  was 
General  Humbert,  who  afterwards  effected  a  descent  in 
Ireland  (in  1799)  with  nine  hundred  troops  and  six  hun- 
dred seamen.* 

On  the  7th  of  January,  went  into  Bantry  Bay  to  see 
if  any  of  the  squadron  were  still  there,  and  on  finding 
none,  the  ship  proceeded  to  the  southward.  Nothing 

*  Sir  Edward  Pellew  has  since  told  me  that  the  official  account  from 
France,  on  which  he  has  received  head  money,  amounted  to  one  thousand  seven 
Hundred  and  fifty  souls  at  the  time  of  the  shipwreck. 


220  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

extraordinary  occurred  until  the  evening  of  the  13th, 
when  two  men-of-war  hove  in  sight,  which  afterwards 
proved  to  be  the  Indefatigable  and  Amazon  frigates.  It 
is  rather  remarkable  that  the  captain  of  the  ship  should 
inform  me,  that  the  squadron  which  was  going  to  engage 
him  was  Sir  Edward  Pellew's,  and  declared,  as  was 
afterwards  proved  by  the  issue,  that  "  he  would  not  yield 
to  any  two  English  frigates,  but  would  sooner  sink  his 
ship  with  every  soul  on  board."  The  ship  was  then 
cleared  for  action,  and  we  English  prisoners,  consisting 
of  three  infantry  officers,  two  captains  of  merchantmen, 
two  women,  and  forty-eight  searnen  and  soldiers,  were 
conducted  down  to  the  cable  tier  at  the  foot  of  the  fore- 
mast. 

The  action  began  with  opening  the  lower  deck  ports, 
which,  however,  were  soon  shut  again,  on  account  of  the 
great  sea,  which  occasioned  the  water  to  rush  in  to  such 
a  degree  that  we  felt  it  running  on  the  cables.  I  must 
here  observe,  that  the  ship  was  built  on  a  new  construc- 
tion, considerably  longer  than  men-of-war  of  her  rate, 
and  her  lower  deck,  on  which  she  mounted  thirty-two 
pounders  French,  equal  to  forty  pounders  English,  was 
two  feet  and  a  half  lower  than  usual.  The  situation  of 
the  ship,  before  she  struck  on  the  rocks,  has  been  fully 
represented  by  Sir  Edward  Pellew,  in  his  letter  of  the 
17th  of  January,  to  Mr.  Nepean:  the  awful  task  is  left 
for  me  to  relate  what  ensued. 

At  about  four  in  the  morning,  a  dreadful  convulsion,  at 
the  foot  of  the  foremast,  roused  us  from  a  state  of  anxie- 
ty for  our  fate  to  the  idea  that  the  ship  was  sinking ! — 
It  was  the  fore-mast  that  fell  over  the  side ;  in  about  a 
quarter  of  an  hour  an  awful  mandate  from  above  was 
re-echoed  from  all  parts  of  the  ship :  Pauvres  Anglais  ! 
pauvres  Anglais !  Montez  bien  vite,  nous  sommes  tons 
perdus! — "  Poor  Englishmen  !  poor  Englishmen!  come 
on  deck  as  fast  as  you  can,  we  are  all  lost !"  Every  one 
rather  flew  than  climbed.  Though  scarcely  able  to 
move  before,  from  sickness,  yet  I  now  felt  an  energetic 
strength  in  all  my  frame,  and  soon  gained  the  upper 
deck,  but  what  a  sight !  dead,  and  wounded,  and  living, 


LOSS   Of   THE   DROITS   DE   L'HOMME.  221 

intermingled  in  a  state  terrible  beyond  description :  not  a 
mast  standing,  a  dreadful  loom  of  the  land,  and  breakers 
all  around  us.  The  Indefatigable,  on  the  starboard  quar- 
ter, appeared  standing  off,  in  a  most  tremendous  sea, 
from  the  Penmark  Rocks,  which  threatened  her  with  in- 
stant destruction.  To  the  great  humanity  of  her  com- 
mander, those  few  persons  who  survived  the  shipwreck, 
are  indebted  for  their  lives,  for  had  another  broadside 
been  fired,  the  commanding  situation  of  the  Indefatiga- 
ble must  have  swept  off,  at  least,  a  thousand  men. — 
On  the  starboard  side  was  seen  the  Amazon,  within 
two  miles,  just  struck  on  shore.  Our  own  fate  drew 
near.  The  ship  struck  and  immediately  sunk  !  Shrieks 
of  horror  and  dismay  were  heard  from  all  quarters, 
while  the  merciless  waves  tore  from  the  wreck  many 
early  victims.  Day-light  appeared,  and  we  beheld  the 
shore  lined  with  people,  who  could  render  us  no  assist- 
ance. At  low  water,  rafts  were  constructed,  arid  the 
boats  were  got  in  readiness  to  be  hoisted  out.  The  dusk 
arrived,  and  an  awful  night  ensued.  The  dawn  of  the 
day  brought  with  it  still  severer  miseries  than  the  first, 
for  the  wants  of  nature  could  scarcely  be  endured  any 
longer,  having  been  already  near  thirty  hours  without 
any  means  of  subsistence,  and  no  possibility  of  procuring 
them.  At  low  water  a  small  boat  was  hoisted  out,  and 
an  English  captain  and  eight  sailors  succeeded  in  getting 
to  the  shore.  Elated  at  the  success  of  these  men,  all 
thought  their  deliverance  at  hand,  and  many  launched 
out  on  their  rafts,  but,  alas !  death  soon  ended  their 
hopes. 

Another  night  renewed  our  afflictions.  The  morning 
of  the  third,  fraught  with  still  greater  evils,  appeared ; 
our  continual  sufferings  made  us  exert  the  last  effort, 
and  we,  English  prisoners,  tried  every  means  to  save 
as  many  of  our  fellow-creatures  as  lay  in  our  power. — 
Larger  rafts  were  constructed,  and  the  largest  boat  was 
got  over  the  side.  The  first  consideration  was  to  lay 
the  surviving  wounded,  the  women,  and  helpless  men, 
in  the  boat,  but  the  idea  of  equality  so  fatally  promulga- 
ted among  the  French,  destroyed  all  subordination. 
19* 


222  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 

and  nearly  one  hundred  and  twenty  having  jumped  into 
the  boat,  in  defiance  of  their  officers,  they  sank  her. — 
The  most  dreadful  sea  that  I  ever  saw,  seemed  at  that 
fatal  moment  to  aggravate  the  calamity  ;  nothing  of  the 
boat  was  seen  for  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  when  the  bodies 
floated  in  all  directions ;  then  appeared,  in  all  their  hor- 
rors, the  wreck,  the  shores,  the  dying  and  the  drowned  ! 
Indefatigable  in  acts  of  humanity,  an  adjutant-general, 
Renier,  launched  himself  into  the  sea,  to  obtain  succor 
from  the  shore,  and  perished  in  the  attempt.. 

Nearly  one  half  of  the  people  had  already  perished, 
when  the  horrors  of  the  fourth  night  renewed  all  our 
miseries.  Weak,  distracted,  and  destitute  of  every  thing, 
we  envied  the  fate  of  those  whose  lifeless  corpses  no 
longer  wanted  sustenance.  The  sense  of  hunger  was 
already  lost,  but  a  parching  thirst  consumed  our  vitals. 
Recourse  was  had  to  urine  and  salt  water,  which  only 
increased  our  want ;  half  a  hogshead  of  vinegar  indeed 
floated  up,  of  which  each  had  half  a  wine  glass :  it  af- 
forded a  momentary  relief,  yet  soon  left  us  again  in  the 
same  state  of  dreadful  thirst.  Almost  at  the  last  gasp, 
every  one  was  dying  with  misery,  and  the  ship,  now 
one  third  shattered  away  from  the  stern,  scarcely  afford- 
ed a  grasp  to  hold  by,  to  the  exhausted  and  helpless  sur- 
vivors. 

The  fourth  day  brought  with  it  a  more  serene  sky,  and 
the  sea  seemed  to  subside,  but  to  behold,  from  fore  to 
aft,  the  dying  in  all  directions,  was  a  sight  too  shocking 
for  the  feeling  mind  to  endure.  Almost  lost  to  a  sense 
of  humanity,  we  no  longer  looked  with  pity  on  those 
whom  we  considered  only  as  the  forerunners  of  our  own 
speedy  fate,  and  a  consultation  took  place,  to  sacrifice 
some  one  to  be  food  for  the  remainder.  The  die  was 
going  to  be  cast,  when  the  welcome  sight  of  a  man-of- 
war  brig  renewed  our  hopes.  A  cutter  speedily  followed, 
and  both  anchored  at  a  short  distance  from  the  wreck. 
They  then  sent  their  boats  to  us,  and  by  means  of  large 
rafts,  about  one  hundred,  out  of  four  hundred,  who  at- 
tempted it,  were  saved  by  the  brig  that  evening.  Three 
hundred  and  eighty  were  left  to  endure  another  night's 


LOSS  OP  THE  EARL  OF  ABERGAVENNY.       223 

misery,  when;  dreadful  to  relate,  above  one  half  were 
found  dead  the  next  morning  ! 

I  was  saved  about  ten  o'clock,  on  the  morning  of  the 
18th,  with  my  two  brother  officers,  the  Captain  of  the 
ship,  and  General  Humbert.  They  treated  us  with  great 
humanity  on  board  the  cutter,  giving  us  a  little  weak 
brandy  and  water  every  five  or  six  minutes,  and  after 
that,  a  basin  of  good  soup.  I  fell  on  the  locker  in  a 
kind  of  trance  for  nearly  thirty  hours,  and  swelled  to  such 
a  degree  as  to  require  medical  aid  to  restore  my  decayed 
faculties.  Having  lost  all  our  baggage,  we  were  taken  to 
Brest  almost  uaked,  where  they  gave  us  a  rough  shift  of 
clothes,  and  xin  consequence  of  our  sufferings,  and  the 
help  we  afforded  in  saving  many  lives,  a  cartel  was  fitted 
out  by  order  of  the  French  government  to  send  us  home, 
without  ransom  or  exchange.  We  arrived  at  Plymouth 
on  the  7th  of  March  following. 

To  that  Providence,  whose  great  workings  I  have 
experienced  in  this  most  awful  trial  of  human  afflictions, 
be  ever  offered  the  tribute  of  my  praise  and  thanksgiving. 


LOSS  OF  THE  EARL  OF  ABERGAVENNY 
EAST  INDIAMAN. 

THE  universal  concern  occasioned  by  the  loss  of  the 
Earl  of  Abergavenny,  has  induced  us  to-. lay  before  our 
readers  an  accurate  statement  of  this  melancholy  disas- 
ter, chiefly  collected  from  the  accounts  which  were  given 
at  the  India-House,  by  Cornet  Burgoyne,  of  his  majesty's 
eighth  regiment  of  light  dragoons,  who  had  the  com- 
mand of  the  troops  on  board  the  above  vessel,  and  by 
the  fourth  officer  of  the  ship,  (who  were  among  the  few 
who  fortunately  escaped  from  the  wreck,)  and  from  the 
best  information  afterwards  received. 

On  Friday,  February  the  1st,  the  Earl  of  Abergaven- 
ny, East-Indiaman,  captain  Wadsworth,  sailed  from 
Portsmouth,  in  company  wkh  the  royal  George,  Henry 
Addington,  Wexford,  and  Bombay  Castle,  under  convoy 
of  his  majesty's  ship  Weymouth,  captain  Draper. 


224  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 

The  Earl  of  Abergavenny  was  engaged  in  the  compa- 
ny's service  for  six  voyages,  and  this  was  the  fourth  on 
which  she  was  proceeding. 
Her  company  consisted  of 

Seamen,  &c 160 

Troops,  King's  and  Company's  ....     159 
Passengers  at  the  Captain's  table    ...       40 

Ditto,  at  the  Third  Mate's 11 

Chinese  32 


Total  402 

In  going  through  the  Needles,  they  unfortunately 
separated  from  the  convoy.  The  fleet,  in  consequence, 
lay  to  nearly  the  whole  of  the  next  day  :  but  seeing  no- 
thing of  the  Weymouth,  proceeded  under  moderate  sail 
towards  the  next  port,  in  hopes  of  being  joined  by  the 
convoy.  On  the  5th,  the  convoy  not  appearing,  it  was 
deemed  expedient  to  wait  her  arrival  in  Portland  Roads, 
particularly  as  the  wind  had  become  rather  unfavorable, 
having  shifted  several  points  from  the  N.  E.  Captain 
Clarke  of  the  Wexford,  being  senior-commander,  and 
consequently  commodore,  made  the  signal  for  those  ships 
that  had  taken  Pilots  on  board,  to  run  into  the  Roads. 

The  Earl  of  Abergavenny  having  at  about  half  past 
three,  P.  M.  got  a  pilot  on  board,  bore  up  for  Portland 
Roads  with  a  steady  wind,  when  on  a  sudden  the  wind 
slackened,  and  the  tide  setting  in  fast,  drove  her  rapidly 
on  the  Shambles.  The  nearer  she  approached,  the  less 
she  was  under  management;  and  being  at  last  totally 
ungovernable,  was  driven  furiously  on  the  rocks,  off  the 
Bill  of  Portland,  about  two  miles  from  the  shore.  She 
remained  on  the  rocks  nearly  an  hour,  beating  in- 
cessantly with  great  violence,  the  shocks  being  so  great, 
that  the  officers  and  men  could  scarcely  keep  their  foot- 
ing on  the  deck.  At  four  P.  M.  the  shocks  became  less 
violent,  and  in  about  a  quarter  of  an  hour  she  cleared 
the  rocks.  The  sails  were  immediately  set,  with  an  in- 
tention to  run  for  the  first  port,  as  the  ship  made  much 
water ;  but  the  leak  increased  so  fast  that  the  ship 
would  not  obey  the  helm.  In  this  situation,  it  was  con- 


LOSS  OF  THE  EARL  OF  ABERGAV^ENNY.       225 

sidered  necessary  to  fire  signal  guns  of  distress.  Twenty 
were  fired  :  the  danger  did  not,  however,  appear  to  those 
on  board  sufficient  to  render  it  necessary  for  the  ship's 
boats  to  be  hoisted  out  at  this  moment,  as  the  weather 
was  moderate,  and  the  ship  in  sight  of  the  fleet  and 
shore. 

The  leak  increased  fast  upon  the  pumps  at  five,  P.  M. 
Soon  after  striking,  the  hand  pumps  started  above  six 
inches,  and  shortly  after  the  water  increased  from  six 
to  eight  feet  in  spite  of  every  exertion  at  the  pumps.  All 
endeavors  to  keep  the  water  under  were  found  in  vain, 
and  night  setting  in  rendered  the  situation  of  all  on 
board  melancholy  in  the  extreme;  the  more  so,  as  it 
was  then  ascertained  that  the  ship  had  received  consi- 
derable damage  in  her  bottom,  immediately  under  the 
pumps.  All  hands  took  their  turn  at  the  pumps,  alter- 
nately bailing  at  the  fore-hatchway.  At  eight  o'clock 
their  situation  became  still  more  dreadful,  when  it  was 
found  impossible  to  save  the  ship,  which  was  eventually 
sinking  fast,  and  settling  into  the  water.  Signal  guns 
were  again  discharged  incessantly.  The  purser,  with 
the  third  officer,  Mr.  Wadsworth,  and  six  seamen,  were 
sent  on  shore,  in  one  of  the  ship's  boats,  to  give  notice 
to  the  inhabitants  of  the  distressed  state  of  the  ship  and 
crew.  At  this  time  a  pilot  boat  came  off,  and  Mr.  Evan's 
with  his  daughter,  Mr.  Routledge,  Mr.  Taylor,  a  cadet, 
and  Miss  Jackson,  passengers,  embarked  for  the  shore, 
notwithstanding  a  dreadful  sea,  which  threatened  them 
with  almost  instant  destruction. 

For  a  few  moments  the  general  attention  of  the  crew 
was  diverted  in  observing  the  boats  leave  the  ship ;  but 
these  unfortunate  people  were  soon  reminded  of  their 
own  approaching  fate,  by  a  heavy  swell,  which  baffled 
almost  every  attempt  to  keep  the  ship  above  water. 
Every  one  seemed  assured  of  his  fate,  and  notwithstand- 
ing the  unremitting  attention  of  the  officers,  confusion 
commenced  on  board,  a.s  soon  as  it  was  given  out  that 
the  ship  was  sinking.  At  ten,  P.  M.  several  sailors  in- 
treated  to  be  allowed  more  liquor,  which  being  refused, 
they  attacked  the  spirit-room,  but  were  repulsed  by  the 


226  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

officers,  who  never  once  lost  sight  of  their  character,  or 
that  dignity  so  necessary  to  be  preserved  on  such  an  oc- 
casion, but  continued -to  conduct  themselves  with  the 
utmost  fortitude  to  the  last.  One  of  the  officers,  who 
was  stationed  at  the  door  of  the  spirit-room,  with  a  brace 
of  pistols  to  guard  against  surprise  in  so  critical  a  mo- 
*  ment,  at  which  post  he  remained  even  while  the  ship 
was  sinking,  was  much  importuned  by  a  sailor,  while 
the  water  poured  in  on  all  sides,  to  grant  him  some 
liquor.  The  man  said  he  was  convinced  "it would  be 
all  one  with  them  in  an  hour  hence."  The  officer, 
however,  true  to  his  trust  in  this  perilous  moment,  had 
courage  enough  to  repulse  the  man,  and  bid  him  go  to 
his  duty  with  his  fellow-comrades,  observing,  "  that  if  it 
was  God's  will  they  should  perish,  they  should  die  like 
men." 

At  half  past  ten  the  water  had  got.  above  the  orlop- 
deck,  in  spite  of  the  endeavors  of  the  officers  and  crew 
who  behaved  in  the  most  cool  and  exemplary  manner. 
All  on  board  were  now  anxiously  looking  out  for  boats 
from  the  shore,  many  wishing  they  had  taken  refuge  in 
those  that  had  already  left  the  ship,  as  their  destruction 
on  board  appeared  inevitable.  The  utmost  exertions 
became  necessary  to  keep  the  ship  above  water  till  the 
boats  came  oif  from  the  shore.  Unfortunately  in  the 
general  distress  and  agony  of  the  moment,  the  ship's 
boats  were  not  hoisted  out,  when  every  soul  on  board 
might  possibly  have  been  saved.  At  eleven  o'clock,  a 
fatal  swell  gave  the  ship  a  sudden  shocR  :  she  gave  a 
surge,  and  sank  almost  instantaneously,  two  miles  from 
Weymouth  beach ;  with  scarcely  five  minutes  warning, 
she  went  down  by  the  head  in  twelve  fathom  water, 
after  a  heavy  heel,  when  she  righted  and  sank  with  her 
masts  and  rigging  standing.  Many  clung  to  loose  spars, 
and  floated  about  the  wreck,  but  the  majority  took  refuge 
in  the  shrouds.  The  severe  shock  of  the  ship  going 
down,  made  several  let  go  their  hold,  whilst  others,  by 
the  velocity  of  the  ship's  descent,  had  not  power  to  climb 
sufficiently  fast  to  keep  above  the  water.  The  Halse- 
well  East  Indiaman  was  wrecked  within  a  few  miles 
from  this  spot. 


LOSS  OF  THE  EARL  OF  ABERGAVENNY.        227 

When  the  hull  of  the  ship  touched  the  ground,  about, 
one  hundred  and  eighty  persons  were  supposed  to  be  in 
the  tops  and  rigging :  their  situation  was  terrible  beyond 
description :  the  yards  only  were  above  water,  and  the 
sea  was  breaking  over  them,  in  the  dead  of  a  cold  and 
frosty  night.  In  about  half  an  hour  their  spirits  were 
revived,  by  the  sound  of  several  boats  beating  against 
the  waves  at  a  short  distance  :  but,  alas  !  how  vain  their 
hopes,  when  on  hailing  the  boats,  not  one  of  them  came 
to  their  assistance.  The  sound  of  them  died  away,  and 
they  were  again  left  to  the  mercy  of  the  rude  waves. 
By  twelve  o'clock  their  numbers  had  much  decreased  : 
the  swell  had  swept  off  some,  whilst  others  were,  from 
the  piercing  cold,  unable  longer  to  retain  their  hold. 
Every  moment  they  perceived  some  friend  floating 
around  them,  for  awhile,  then  sinking  into  the  abyss  to 
rise  no  more. 

About  this  time  a  sloop  was  discovered  ;  she  had  for- 
tunately heard  the  signal  guns,  and  came  to  an  anchor 
close  by  the  ship.  The  weather  was  moderate,  and 
those  who  had  survived  were  now  promised  a  speedy 
delivery.  The  sloop's  boat  was  immediately  manned, 
and  proceeded  to  the  rigging  that  remained  above  water, 
when  every  person  was  taken  off.  The  boat  returned 
three  times,  taking  twenty  each  return.  Nothing  could 
be  more  correct  than  the  conduct  of  the  crew  on  this  oc- 
casion :  they  coolly  got  into  the  boat,  one  by  one  and 
those  only  as  they  were  named  by  their  officers.  When 
it  was  supposed  that  every  one  was  brought  off,  and  the 
boat  was  about  to  depart  for  the  last  time,  a  person  was 
observed  -in  one  of  the  tops  :  he  was  hailed  but  did 
not  answer.  Mr.  Gilpin,  the  fourth  officer,  (whose  ex- 
traordinary exertions  on  this  occasion,  as  well  as  through- 
out the  whole  of  this  unfortunate  affair,  entitled  him  to 
the  highest  commendation,)  returned  to  the  wreck,  and 
there  found  a  man  in  an  inanimate  state,  exhausted 
from  the  severe  cold.  He  most  humanely  brought  him 
down  on  his  back,  and  took  him  to  the  boat ;  the  man 
proved  to  be  sergeant  Heart  of  the  22d  regiment.  Every 
possible  care  was  taken  of  him,  but  to  no  effect :  he  died 


228  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

about  twelve  hours  after  he  had  landed.  The  sloop 
having  now,  as  was  supposed,  taken  on  board  all  the 
survivors  of  the  ship,  returned  to  Weymouth.  She  had 
not  however,  proceeded  far,  before  it  was  perceived  that 
Mr.  Baggot,  the  chief  officer,  was  close  astern.  The 
sloop  immediately  lay  to  for  him ;  but  this  noble  spirited 
young  man,  although  certain  of  securing  his  own  life, 
disregarded  his  own  safety,  on  perceiving  Mrs.  Blair,  an 
unfortunate  fellow  passenger,  floating  at  some  distance 
from  him.  He  succeeded  in  coming  up  with  her,  and 
sustained  her  above  water,  while  he  swam  towards  the 
sloop  ;  but  just  as  he  was  on  the  point  of  reaching  it,  a 
swell  came  on,  and  his  strength  being  totally  exhausted, 
he  sank  and  never  rose  again.  The  unfortunate  Mrs. 
Blair  sank  after  him,  and  this  generous  youth  thus  pe- 
rished in  vain.  It  was  nearly  two  o'clock,  before  the 
sloop  weighed  anchor  from  the  wreck,  but  the  wind  be- 
ing favorable  she  soon  reached  the  port.  On  mustering 
those  who  had  landed,  it  appeared  that  only  one  hundred 
and  fifty-five  persons  had  reached  the  shore  out  of  four 
hundred  and  two  who  had  embarked  ! 

The  greatest  attention  was  paid  to  the  unfortunate 
sufferers  by  the  mayor  and  aldermen  as  well  as  the 
principal  inhabitants  of  Weymouth ;  and  the  purser  was 
immediately  dispatched  to  the  India  House  with  the  me- 
lancholy intelligence.  t 

At  daylight,  February  the  6th,  the  top-masts  of  the 
ship  were  seen  from  Weymouth.  During  the  time  the 
passengers  and  crew  remained  in  the  tops  she  appeared 
to  have  sunk  eight  feet,  and  was  considerably  lower  in 
the  morning ;  it  was  therefore  conjectured,  that  she  had 
sunk  on  a  mud-bank.  The  Greyhound  cutter  was  im- 
mediately stationed  to  guard  the  wreck,  and  the  boats 
from  the  Rover  succeeded  in  stripping  the  masts  of  the 
rigging.  On  the  7th  her  decks  had  not  been  blown  up, 
and  she  appeared  to  remain  in  exactly  the  same  state  in 
which  she  had  sunk.  Her  sinking  so  steadily  is  attri- 
buted to  the  great  weight  of  her  cargo,  her  floorings  con- 
sisting chiefly  of  earthern  ware.  The  cargo  of  the  ship 
was  estimated  at  two  hundred  thousand  pounds,  besides 


LOSS  OF  THE  EARL  OF  ABERGAVENNY.        229 

which  she  had  on  board  dollars  to  the  amount  of  two  hun- 
dred and  seventy-five  thousand  ounces,  and  is  supposed 
to  have  been  one  of  the  richest  ships  that  ever  sailed  for 
India.  She  was  of  the  largest  tonnage,  and  inferior  only 
to  the  Ganges  in  the  service,  being  at  least  fifteen  hun- 
dred tons  burthen,  and  built  for  the  China  trade. 

About  eighty  officers  and  seamen  were  saved,  eleven 
passengers,  fifteen  Chinese,  five  out  of  thirty-two  cadets 
and  forty-five  recruits.  The  captain  was  drowned.  He 
was  nephew  to  captain  Wads  worth,  who  formerly  com- 
manded the  Earl  of  Abergavenny,  and  was  considered 
one  of  the  first  navigators  in  the  service.  He  was  on 
his  third  voyage  as  captain,  and,  painful  to  relate,  pe- 
rished with  his  ship,  disdaining  to  survive  the  loss  of  so 
valuable  a  charge  :  his  conduct  throughout  the  distress- 
ing scene,  has  been  spoken  of  in  terms  of  the  highest 
praise.  It  is  an  extraordinary  fact  that  he  felt  such  an 
unaccountable  depression  of  spirits,  that  he  could  not  be 
persuaded  to  go  through  the  usual  ceremony  of  taking 
leave  of  the  court  of  directors  on  the  day  appointed  ;  and 
it  was  not  till  the  Wednesday  following,  which  was  spe- 
cially fixed  for  that  purpose,  that  he  yielded  to  the  wishes 
of  his  friends,  and  reluctantly  attended  the  court !  He 
was  a  man  of  remarkably  mild .  manners  ;  his  conduct 
was,  in  every  instance,  so  well  tempered,  that  he  was 
known  among  his  shipmates,  by  the  title  of  "  the  Phi- 
losopher." As  soon  as  the  ship  was  going  down,  Mr. 
Baggot,  the  chief  officer,  went  on  the  quarter  deck,  and 
told  him,  "that  all  exertions  were  now  in  vain;  the 
ship  was  rapidly  sinking."  Captain  Wadsworth,  who, 
no  doubt,  expected  it,  steadfastly  looked  him  in  the 
face,  and,  at  last,  with  every  appearance  of  a  heart-bro- 
ken man,  faintly  answered:  "Let  her  go  !  God's  will  be 
done."  These  were  the  last  words  he  uttered;  from  that 
instant  he  was  motionless.  In  a  few  moments  the  ship 
sank,  and  many  who  were  climbing  the  shrouds  endea- 
vored to  save  him,  but  without  success.  In  this  endea- 
vor Mr.  Gilpin  was  foremost,  and  made  several  unsuc- 
cessful attempts,  at  the  evident  risk  of  his  own  life. 
20 


LOSS  OF  THE    CATHARINE,    VENUS  AND 

PIEDMONT  TRANSPORTS;  AND  THREE 

MERCHANT  SHIPS. 

The  miseries  of  war  are  in  themselves  great  and  ter- 
rible, but  the  consequences  which  arise  indirectly  from  it, 
though  seldom  known  and  little  adverted  to,  are  no  less 
deplorable.  The  destruction  of  the  sword  sometimes 
bears  only  an  inconsiderable  proportion  to  the  havoc  of 
disease,  and,  in  the  pestilential  climates  of  the  western 
colonies,  entire  regiments,  reared  in  succession,  have  as 
often  fallen  victims  to  their  baneful  influence. 

To  .prosecute  the  war  with  alacrity,  it  had  been  judged 
expedient  to  transport  a  strong  body  of  troops  on  foreign 
service,  but  their  departure  was  delayed  by  repeated  ad- 
versities, and  at  length  the  catastrophe  which  is  about  to 
be  related  ensued. 

On  the  15th  of  November,  1795,  the  fleet,  under  con- 
voy of  Admiral  Christian's  squadron,  sailed  from  St. 
Helen's.  A  more  beautiful  sight  than  it  exhibited  can- 
not be  conceived ;  and  those  who  had  nothing  to  lament 
in  leaving  their  native  country,  enjoyed  the  spectacle 
as  the  most  magnificent  produced  by  the  art  of  man,  and 
as  that  which  the  natives  of  this  island  contemplate  with 
mingled  pride  and  pleasure. 

Next  day,  the  wind  continued  favorable,  carried  the 
fleet  down  the  channel ;  and  as  the  Catharine  transport 
came  within  sight  of  the  isle  of  Perbeck,  Lieutenant 
Jenner,  an  officer  on  board,  pointed  out  to  another  per- 
son, the  rocks  where  the  Halsewell  and  so  many  unfor- 
tunate individuals  had  perished.  He  and  Cornet  Burns, 
had  been  unable  to  reach  Southampton  until  the  Catha- 
rine had  sailed  therefore  they  hired  a  boy  to  overtake 
her;  and  on  embarking  at  St.  Helen's,  the  former  ex- 


LOSS    OF  THREE   MERCHANT  SHIPS.  231 

pressed  his  satisfaction,  in  a  letter  to  his  mother,  that  he 
had  been  so  fortunate  as  to  do  so. 

On  Tuesday,  the  17th,  the  fleet  was  off  Portland,  stand- 
ing to  the  westward ;  but  the  wind  shifting  and  blowing 
a  strong  gale  at  south-south-west,  the  admiral,  dubious 
whether  they  could  clear  the  channel,  made  a  signal  for 
putting  into  Torbay,  which  some  of  the  transports  were 
then  in  sight  of.  However,  they  could  not  make  the 
bay;  the  gale  increased,  and  a  thick  fog  came  on;  there- 
fore the  admiral  thought  it  expedient  to  alter  his  design, 
and  about  five  in  the  afternoon  made  a  signal  for  stand- 
ing out  to  sea.  Of  the  circumstances  'relative  to  the 
Catharine,  a  more  detailed  account  has  been  preserved 
than  respecting  the  other  vessels  of  the  fleet ;  and  they 
are  preserved  by  a  female,  with  whose  name  we  are  un- 
acquainted, in  these  words. 

"  The  evening  of  the  17th  was  boisterous  and  threat- 
ening; the  master  said  he  was  apprehensive  that  we 
should  have  bad  weather ;  and  when  I  was  desired  to 
go  on  deck  and  look  at  the  appearance  of  the  sky,  I  ob- 
served that  it  was  troubled  and  red,  with  great  heavy 
clouds  flying  in  all  directions,  r%id  with  a  sort  of  dull 
mist  surrounding  the  moon.  On  repeating  this  to  the 
other  passengers,  two  of  whom  had  been  at  sea  before, 
they  said  we  should  certainly  have  a  stormy  night,  and 
indeed  it  proved  so  very  tempestuous,  that  no  rest  was 
to  be  obtained.  Nobody,  however,  seemed  to  think  that 
there  was  any  danger,  though  the  fog  was  so  thick  that 
the  master  could  see  nothing  by  which  to  direct  his 
course ;  but  he  thought  that  he  had  sufficient  sea-room. 
'The  fatigue  I  had  suffered  from  the  tossing  of  the 
ship,  and  the  violence  with  which  she  continued  to  roll, 
had  kept  me  in  bed.  It  was  about  ten  o'clock  in  the  morn- 
ing of  the  18th,  when  the  mate  looked  down  into  the 
cabin  and  cried,  '  save  yourselves  if  you  can.' 

'The  consternation  and  terror  of  that  moment  cannot 
be  described ;  I  had  on  a  loose  dressing  gown,  and  wrap- 
ping it  round  me  I  went  up,  not  quite  on  deck,  but  to  the 
top  of  the  stairs,  from  whence  I  saw  the  sea  break  moun- 
tain high  against  the  shore.  The  passengers  and  soldiers 


232  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 

seemed  thunder-struck  by  the  sense  of  immediate  and 
inevitable  danger,  and  the  seamen,  too  conscious  of  the 
hopelessness  of  any  exertion,  stood  in  speechless  agony, 
certain  of  meeting  in  a  few  moments  that  destruction 
which  now  menaced  them. 

'While  I  thus  surveyed  the  scene  around  me  in  a  kind 
of  dread  which  no  words  can  figure,  Mr.  Bums,  an  offi- 
cer of  dragoons,  who  had  come  up  in  his  shirt,  called  to 
Mr.  Jenner  and  Mr.  Stains  for  his  cloak ;  nobody,  how- 
ever, could  attend  to  any  thing  in  such  a  moment  but 
self  preservation. 

'Mr.  Jenner,  Mr.  Stains  and  Mr.  Dodd  the  surgeon,  now 
passed  me,  their  countenances  sufficiently  expressing 
their  sense  of  the  situation  in  which  we  all  were.  Mr. 
Burns  spoke  cheerfully  to  me ;  he  bade  me  take  good 
courage,  and  Mr.  Jenner  observed,  there  was  a  good 
shore  near,  and  all  would  do  well. 

'These  gentlemen  then  went  to  the  side  of  the  ship, 
with  the  intention,  I  believe,  of  seeing  whether  it  was 
possible  to  get  on  shore.  The  master  of  the  vessel  alone 
remained  near  the  companion ;  when  suddenly  a  tre- 
mendous wave  broke  over  the  ship,  and  struck  me  with 
such  violence,  that  I  was  stunned  for  a  moment,  and, 
before  being  able  to  recover  myself,  the  ship  struck  with 
a  force  so  great  as  to  throw  me  from  the  stairs  into  the 
cabin,  the  master  being  thrown  down  near  me.  At  the 
same  instant,  the  cabin,  with  a  dreadful  crash,  broke 
in  upon  us,  and  planks  and  beams  threatened  to  bury  us 
in  ruins.  The  master,  however,  soon  recovered  himself, 
he  left  me  to  go  again  upon  deck,  and  I  saw  him  no  more. 
A  sense  of  my  condition  lent  me  strength  to  disengage 
myself  from  the  boards  and  fragments  by  which  I  was 
surrounded,  and  I  once  more  got  upon  the  stairs.  I  hardly 
know  hew.  But  what  a  scene  did  I  behold  !  The  masts 
were  all  lying  across  the  shattered  remains  of  the  deck, 
and  no  living  creature  appeared  on  it;  all  was  gone, 
though  I  knew  not  then  that  they  were  gone  forever.  I 
looked  forward  to  the  shore,  but  there  I  could  see  nothing 
except  the  dreadful  surf  that  broke  against  it,  while  be- 
hind the  ship,  immense  black  waves  rose  like  tremendous 


LOSS  OF   THREE  MERCHANT   SHIPS.  233 

ruins.     I  knew   that  they  must  overwhelm  her,  and 
thought  that  there  could  he  no  escape  for  me. 

Believing,  then,  that  death  was  immediate  and  una- 
voidable, my  idea  was  to  regain  my  bed  in  the  cabin, 
and-  there,  resigning  myself  to  the  will  of  God,  await 
the  approaching  moment.  However,  I  could  not  reach 
it,  and  for  awhile  was  insensible ;  then  the  violent  strik- 
ing and  breaking  up  of  the  wreck  again  roused  me  to  re- 
collection ;  I  found  myself  near  the  cabin  windows,  and 
the  water  was  rising  around  me.  It  rapidly  increased, 
and  the  horrors  of  drowning  we're  present  to  my  view ; 
yet  do  I  remember  seeing  the  furniture  of  the  cabin  float 
about.  I  sat  almost  enclosed  by  pieces  of  the  wreck,  and 
the  water  now  reached  my  breast. 

The  bruises'  I  had  received  made  every  exertion  ex- 
tremely difficult,  and  my  loose  gown  was  so  entangled 
among  the  beams  and  fragments  of  the  ship,  that  I  could 
not  disengage  it.  Still  the  desire  of  life,  the  hope  of  be- 
ing welcomed  on  shore,  whither  I  thought  my  friends 
had  escaped,  and  the  remembrance  of  my  child,  all  united 
in  inspiring  me  with  courage  to  attempt  saving  myself. 
I  again  tried  to  loosen  my  gown,  but  found  it  impossible, 
and  the  wreck  continued  to  strike  so  violently,  and  the 
ruins  to  close  so  much  more  around  me,  that  I  now  ex- 
pected to  be  crushed  to  death.  As  the  ship  drifted  higher 
on  the  stones,  the  water  rather  lessened  as  the  waves  went 
hack,  but  on  their  return,  continued  to  cover  me,  and  I 
once  or  twice  lost  my  breath,  and  for  a  moment,  my  re- 
collection. When  I  had  power  to  think,  the  principle  of 
self  preservation  still  urged  me  to  exertion. 

The  cabin  now  broke  more  and  more,  and  through  a 
large  breach  I  saw  the  shore  very  near.  Amidst  the  tu- 
mult of  the  raging  waves  I  had  a  glimpse  of  the  people, 
who  were  gathering  up  what  the  sea  drove  towards  them ; 
but  I  thought  they  could  not  see  me,  and  from  them  I 
despaired  of  assistance. — Therefore  I  determined  to  make 
one  effort  to  preserve  my  life.  I  disengaged  my  arms 
from  the  dressing  gown,  and,  finding  myself  able  to  move, 
•  I  quitted  the  wreck,  and  felt  myself  on  the  ground.  I 
attempted  to  run,  but  was  too  feeble  to  save  myself  from 
20* 


234  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

a  raging  wave,  which  overtook  and  overwhelmed  me. 
Then  I  believed  myself  gone ;  yet,  half  suffocated  as  I 
was,  I  struggled  very  much,  and  I  remember  that  I 
thought  I  was  very  long  dying.  The  waves  left  me  ;  I 
breathed  again,  and  made  another  attempt  to  get  higher 
upon  the  bank,  but,  quite  exhausted,  I  fell  down  and  my 
senses  forsook  me. 

By  this  time  I  was  observed  by  some  of  the  people  on  the 
bank,  and  two  men  came  to  my  assistance.  They  lifted 
me  up ;  I  once  more  recovered  some  faint  recollection ; 
and,  as  they  bore  me  along,  I  was  sensible  that  one  of 
them  said  the  sea  would  overtake  us ;  that  he  must  let 
me  go  and  take  care  of  his  own.  life.  I  only  remember 
clinging  to  the  other  and  imploring  him  not  to  abandon 
me  to  the  merciless  waves.  But  Thave  a  very  confused 
idea  of  what  passed,  till  I  saw  the  boat,  into  which  I  was 
to  be  put  to  cross  the  Fleet  water;  I  had  then  just 
strength  to  say,  for  God's  sake  do  not  take  me  to  sea  again. 

I  believe  the  apprehension  of  it,  added  to  uiy  other  suf- 
ferings, tended  to  deprive  me  of  all  further  sensibility,  for 
I  have  not  the  least  recollection  of  any  thing  afterwards 
until  roused  by  the  remedies  applied  to  restore  me  in  a 
farmhouse  whither  I  was  carried.  There  I  heard  a  num- 
ber of  women  around  me,  who  asked  a  great  number  of 
questions  Avhich  I  was  unable  to  answer.  I  remember 
hearing  one  say  I  was  a  French  woman;  another  say 
that  I  was  a  negro,  and  indeed  I  was  so  bruised,  and  in 
such  a  disfigured  condition,  that  the  conjectures  of  these 
people  are  not  surprising. 

'When  recovering  some  degree  of  confused  recollection, 
and  able  to  speak,  1  begged  that  they  would  allow  me  to 
go  to  bed.  This,  however.  I  did  not  ask  with  any  ex- 
pectation of  life,  for  I  was  now  in  such  a  state  of  suffer- 
ing, that  my  only  wish  was  to  be  allowed  to  lie  down 
and  die  in  peace. 

'Nothing  could  exceed  the  humanity  of  Mr.  Abbot,  the 
inhabitant  of  Fleet- farm-house,  nor  the  compassionate 
attention  of  his  sister,  Miss  Abbot,  who  not  only  afforded 
me  immediate  assistance,  but  continued  for  some  days 
to  attend  me  with  such  kindness  and  humanity,  that  I 


LOSS   OP  THREE  MERCHANT   SHIPS.  23§ 

shall  always  remember  it  with  the  sincerest  gratitude." 
The  unfortunate  sufferer  who  gives  the  preceding  ac- 
count, was  tended  with  great  humanity  by  Mr.  Bryer, 
while  a  wound  in  her  foot,  and  the  dangerous  bruises  she 
had  received,  prevented  her  from  quitting  the  shelter  she 
first  found  under  the  roof  of  Mr.  Abbot,  at  Fleet.     As 
soon  as  she  was  in  a  condition  to  be  removed  to  Wey- 
mouth.  Mr.  Bryer,  a  surgeon  there,  received  her  into  his 
own  house,  where  Mrs.   Bryer  assisted  in  administering 
to  her  recovery  such  benevolent  offices  of  consolation  as 
.  her  deplorable  situation  admitted.     Meantime  the  gentle- 
men of  the  south  battalion  of  the  Gloucester  Militia,  who 
had  done  every  thing  possible  towards  the  preservation 
of  those  who  were  the  victims  of  the  tempest,  now  liber- 
ally contributed  to  alleviate  the  pecuniary  distresses  of 
the  survivors.     None  seemed  to  have  so  forcible  a  claim 
on  their  pity  as  this  forlorn  and  helpless  stranger ;  and 
she  alone,  of  forty  souls,  except  a  single  ship-boy,  sur- 
vived  the   wreck  of  the  Catharine.      There   perished, 
twelve  seamen,  two  soldiers'  wives,  twenty-two  dragoons 
and  four  officers,    Lieutenant   Stains,  Mr.  Dodd  of  the 
hospital-staff,  Lieutenant  Jenner,  the  representative  of  an 
ancient  and  respectable  family  in  Gloucestershire,  aged 
thirty-one,  and  Cornet  Burns,  the  son  of  an  American 
loyalist  of  considerable   property  who  was  deprived  of 
every  thing  for  his  adherence  to  the  British  government. 
— Having  no  dependence  but  on  the  promises  of  govern- 
ment to  indemnify  those  who  had  suffered  on  that  account 
he,  after  years  of  distress  and  difficulty,  obtained  a  cor- 
netcy  in  the  26th  regiment  of  dragoons,  then  going  to  the 
West  Indies,  and  was  thus  lost  in  his  twenty-fourth  year. 
This  officer  had  intended  embarking  in  another  trans- 
port, and  actually  sent  his  horse  on  board,  when  finding 
the  Catharine  more  commodious,  he  gave  her  the  prefer- 
ence, while  the  other  put  back  to  Spithead   in  safety. 
The  mangled  remains  of  Lieutenant  Jenner  were  two 
days  afterwards  found  on  the   beach   and  interred  with 
military  honors. 

But  the  Catharine  was  not  the  only  vessel  which  suf- 
fered in  the  tempest.  Those,  who  on  shore  had  listened 
to  it  raging  on  the  preceding  evening,  could  not  avoid 


236  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

feeling  the  most  lively  alarm  for  the  consequences ; 
and  early  in  the  morning  on  the  18th  of  November,  seve- 
ral pilots  and  other  persons  assembled  on  the  promontory 
called  the  Look-out  at  Weymouth.  Thence  they  too 
evidently  discovered  the  distress  and  danger  of  many  of 
the  transports. 

Soon  after,  a  lieutenant  of  the  navy,  residing  at  Wey- 
mouth, applied  to  the  major  of  a  militia  regiment,  for  a 
guard  to  be  sent  to  the  Chisell  Bank,  as  a  large  ship, 
supposed  to  be  a  frigate,  was  on  shore.  This  was  im- 
mediately granted,  and  the  major  himself  marched  along 
with  a  captain's  guard. 

The  violence  of  the  wind  was  so  great,  that  the  party 
could  with  difficulty  reach  the  place  of  their  destination. 
Th^re  they  found  a  large  merchantman,  the  J^olus,  la- 
den with  timber  for  government,  on  shore.  Lieutenant 
Mason  of  the  navy,  and  his  brother,  a  midshipman,  pe- 
rished in  her,  and  a  number  of  men  who  would  probably 
have  been  saved  had  they  understood  the  signals  from 
shore.  The  men  of  Portland,  who  crowded  down  to  the 
scene  of  desolation,  meant  to  express,  by  throwing  small 
pebbles  at  them,  that  they  should  remain  on  board,  (to 
make  them  hear  was  impossible,)  because  they  foresaw 
the  ship  would  dl^e  high  on  the  bank.  Should  that  be 
the  case,  they  rni^t  soon  leave  her  without  hazard  ;  and 
accordingly  those  who  continued  on  board  were  saved, 
though  many  of  them  were  dreadfully  bruised. 

Not  far  from  the  same  place,  the  Golden  Grove,  ano- 
ther merchantman,  was  stranded,  and  in  her  Dr.  Stevens 
and  Mr.  Burrows  of  St.  Kits,  were  lost. 

Lieutenant  colonel  Ross,  who  was  also  there,  escaped 
on  shore.  These  two  vessels  had  struck  against  a  part 
of  the  Passage-house,  almost  on  the  same  spot  where  a 
French  frigate,  the  Zenobia,  had  gone  to  pieces  in  1763. 

But  the  scene  of  distress  was  infinitely  greater  about 
four  miles  to  the  westward,  where,  as  already  related, 
the  Catharine  was  wrecked.  Along  with  her,  nearly  op- 
posite to  the  villages  of  Fleet  and  Chickerell,  the  Pied- 
mont and  Venus,  two  transports,  and  soon  after,  the 
Thomas,  a  merchantman,  shared  the  same  fate. 


LOSS  OF  THREE  MERCHANT  SHIPS.  237 

One  hundred  and  thirty-eight  soldiers  of  the  63d  regi- 
ttient,  under  the  command  of  captain  Barcroft,  were  on 
board  the  Piedmont ;  also  lieutenant  Ash,  and  Mr.  Kelly, 
surgeon  of  the  same  regiment.  Of  all  these,  only  ser- 
geant Richardson,  eleven  privates,  and  four  seamen, 
survived  the  catastrophe ;  all  the  rest  perished. 

Captain  Barcroft's  life  had  been  passed  in  the  service. 
While  yet  a  very  young  man,  he  served  in  America  dur- 
ing the  war  between  England  and  her  colonies  ;  and  be- 
ing then  taken  prisoner,  was  severely  treated.  On  com- 
mencement of  the  war  which  has  so  many  years  deso- 
lated Europe,  he  raised  a  company  in  his  native  country, 
and  served  with  it  on  the  Continent  during  the  campaign 
of  1794.  Under  a  heavy  fire  of  the  enemy,  he  was  one 
of  the  last  men  who  retreated  with  it  along  a  single 
plank,  knee-deep  in  water,  from  the  seige  of  Nimeguen. 
In  a  few  months  after  the  disastrous  retreat  on  the  Con- 
tinent, in  the  winter  1794,  he  was  ordered  to  the  West 
Indies,  and,  in  the  .outset  of  his  voyage,  perished  in  the 
tempest. 

Of  the  few  who  reached  the  shore  from  the  Piedmont, 
there  was  scarce  one  who  was  not  dreadfully  bruised, 
and  some  had  their  limbs  broken.  An  unfortunate  vete- 
ran of  the  63d,  though  his  leg  was  shockingly  fractured, 
had  sufficient  resolution  to  creep  for  shelter  under  a  fish- 
ing boat  which  lay  inverted  on  the  further  side  of  the 
bank.  There  his  groans  were  unheard  until  a  young 
gentleman,  Mr.  Smith,  a  passenger  in  the  Thomas, 
who  had  himself  been  wrecked,  and  was  now  wan- 
dering along  the  shore,  discovered  him.  In  this  ship, 
the  Thomas,  bound  to  Oporto,  the  master,  Mr.  Brown, 
his  son,  and  all  the  crew,  except  the  mate,  three  seamen, 
and  Mr.  Smith,  were  lost.  The  last  was  on  his  way  to 
Lisbon  ;  but  his  preservation  was  chiefly  in  consequence 
of  his  remaining  on  board  after  all  the,  rest  had  left  the 
ship,  or  were  washed  away  by  the  waves.  She  had 
then  drifted  high  on  the  bank,  when  he  leaped  out  of 
her  and  reached  the  ground. 

Though  weak  and  encumbered  by  rns  wet  clothes,  he 
gained  the  opposite  side  of  the  bank,  but  on  gazing  on 


238 


REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 


the  dreary  beach  around  him,  he  considered  himself  cast 
away  on  an  uninhabited  coast.  At  length  he  observed 
a  fishing  boat,  and  approaching  it,  heard  the  groans  of 
the  unfortunate  old  soldier,  whom  he  attempted  to  re- 
lieve. But  alone  he  found  himself  unable  to  fulfil  his 
intention,  and  it  was  a  considerable  time  before  he  ob- 
served any  means  of  assistance  near.  At  last,  perceiv- 
ing a  man  at  some  distance,  he  hastened  to  him,  eagerly 
inquiring  whether  a  surgeon  could  be  procured  for  a 
poor  creature  with  a  broken  limb,  who  lay  under  the 
boat.  Probably  the  man  showed  little  alacrity,  for  Mr. 
Smith  .found  it  necessary  to  purchase  his  good  offices  by 
a  gift  of  half  a  guinea,  which  he  imagined  would  induce 
him  to  seek  what  was  so  much  required.  But  the  man 
pocketing  the  half-guinea  with  the  greatest  composure, 
said  he  was  a  king's  officer,  and  must  see  what  bales  of 
goods  were  driven  on  shore;  then  telling  Mr.  Smith 
there  was  a  ferry  about  four  miles  off,  by  which  he 
might  get  to  Weymouth.  The  youth  was  thus  disap- 
pointed of  his  humane  design,  and  the  soldier  died  in 
that  deplorable  condition  before  any  other  aid  attained 
him. 

In  the  Thomas,  the  vessel  to  which  Mr.  Smith  belong- 
ed, he  witnessed  scenes  not  less  distressing.  Mr.  Brown 
the  master  of  the  vessel,  was  carried  away  by  an  im- 
mense wave  just  as  he  was  stripping  off  his  clothes  to 
endeavor  to  save  himself.  His  son  exclaiming,  "Oh 
my  father  !  my  poor  father!"  instantly  followed.  The 
bodies  of  both  were  afterwards  found  and  interred  at 
Wyke. 

Of  ninety-six  persons  on  board  the  Venus,  only  Mr. 
John  Barley  of  the  hospital  staff,  sergeant-major  Hearne, 
twelve  soldiers,  four  seamen  and  a  boy  were  saved.  Mr. 
Darley  escaped  by  throwing  himself  from  the  wreck  at  a 
moment  when  it  drifted  high  on  the  stones ;  he  reached 
them  without  broken  limbs,  but,  overtaken  by  the  furious 
sea,  he  was  carried  back,  not  so  far,  however,  that  he 
was  incapable  of  regaining  the  ground.  Notwithstand- 
ing the  weight  of  his  clothes  and  his  exhausted  state,  he 
got  to  the  top  of  the  bank,  but  there  the  power  of  farther 


LOSS  OF  THREE  MERCHANT  SHIPS.  239 

exertion  failed,  and  he  fell.  While  lying  in  this  situa- 
tion, trying  to  recover  breath  and  strength,  a  great  many 
people  from  the  neighboring  villages  passed  him ;  they 
had  crossed  the  Fleet-water  in  the  hopes  of  sharing  the 
plunder  of  the  vessels  which  the  lower  inhabitants  of 
the  coast  are  too  much  accustomed  to  consider  their 
right. 

Mr.  Darley  seems  to  have  been  so  far  from  meeting 
with  assistance  from  those  who  were  plundering  the 
dead,  without  thinking  of  the  living,  that  although  he 
saw  many  boats  passing  and  repassing  the  Fleet-water, 
he  found  great  difficulty  in  procuring  a  passage  for  him- 
self and  two  or  three  fellow-sufferers  who  had  now  joined 
him.  But  having  passed  it  he  soon  met  with  Mr.  Bryer, 
to  whose  active  humanity  all  the  sufferers  were  emi- 
nently indebted. 

Before  the  fall  extent  of  this  dreadful  calamity  was 
known  at  Weymouth,  the  officers  of  the  South  Glouces- 
ter Militia,  with  equal  humanity,  were  devising  how 
they  might  best  succor  the  survivors,  and  perform  the 
last  duties  to  the  remains  of  those  who  had  perished. 
On  the  morning  of  the  19th  of  November,  one  of  them, 
accompanied  by  Mr.  Bryer  of  Weymouth,  rode  to  the 
villages  where  those  who  had  escaped  from  the  various 
wrecks  had  found  a  temporary  shelter.  In  a  house  at 
Chickerell,  they  found  sergeant  Richardson  and  eleven 
privates  of  the  63d  regiment ;  two  of  the  latter  had  frac- 
tured limbs,  and  almost  all  the  rest  either  wounds  or 
bruises.  In  other  houses  the  sufferers  had  been  received, 
and  were  as  comfortably  accommodated  as  circumstances 
would  admit. 

The  gentlemen  then  crossed  the  Fleet-water  to  the 
beach,  and  there,  whatever  idea  was  previously  formed 
of  it,  the  horror  of  the  scene  infinitely  surpassed  expec- 
tation ;  no  celebrated  field  of  carnage  ever  presented,  in 
proportion  to  its  size,  a  more  awful  sight  than  the  Chisell 
Bank  now  exhibited.  For  abput  two  miles  it  was  strew- 
ed with  the  dead  bodies  of  men  and  animals,  with  pieces 
of  wreck  and  piles  of  plundered  ^oods,  which  groups  of 
people  were  carrying  away,  regardless  of  the  sight  of 


240  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 

drowned  bodies  that  filled  the  new  spectators  with  sor- 
row and  amazement. 

On  the  mangled  remains  of  the  unfortunate  victims, 
death  appeared  in  all  its  hideous  forms.  Either  the  sea 
or  the  people  who  had  first  gone  down  to  the  shore,  had 
stripped  the  bodies  of  the  clothes  which  the  sufferers  had 
wore  at  the  fatal  moment.  The  remnants  of  the  military 
stock,  the  wristbands,  or  collar  of  a  shirt,  or  a  piece  of 
blue  pantaloons,  were  all  the  fragments  left  behind. 

The  only  means  of  distinguishing  the  officers  was  the 
different  appearance  of  their  hands  from  those  of  men  ac- 
customed to  hard  labor ;  but  some  were  known  by  the 
description  given  of  them  by  their  friends  or  by  persons 
who  were  in  the  vessels  along  with  them.  The  remains 
of  captain  Barcroft  were  recognised  by  the  honorable  scars 
he  had  received  in  the  service  of  his  country ;  and  his 
friends  and  relatives,  as  well  as  those  of  several  others 
had  the  satisfaction  of  learning  that  their  bodies  were 
rescued  from  the  sea,  and  interred  with  military  honors. 

Early  in  the  morning  of  the  20th  of  November,  ja.  lieu- 
tenant of  the  militia  regiment  who  had  been  appointed 
to  superintend  the  melancholy  office  of  interment,  re- 
paired to  the  scene  of  destruction.  But  from  the  neces- 
sary preliminaries  of  obtaining  the  authority  of  a  magis- 
trate to  remove  the  bodies,  not  more  than  twenty-five 
were  buried  that  day.  The  bodies  of  captain  Barcroft, 
lieutenant  Sutherland,  Cornet  Graydon,  lieutenant  Ker 
and  two  women,  were  then  selected  to  be  put  into  coffins. 
Next  day,  those  of  lieutenant  Jenner  and  Cornet  Burns, 
being  found,  were  distinguished  in  the  like  manner. 

The  whole  number  of  dead  found  on  the  beach, 
amounted  to  two  hundred  and  thirty-four ;  so  that  the 
duty  of  interment  was  so  heavy  and  fatiguing,  that  it 
was  not  until  the  twenty-third  that  all  the  soldiers  and 
sailors  were  deposited.  Of  these  there  were  two  hun- 
dred and  eight,  and  they  were  committed  to  the  earth  as 
decently  as  circumstances  would  admit,  in  graves  dug 
on  the  Fleet  side  of  the  beach,  beyond  the  reach  of  the 
sea,  where  a  pile  of  stones  was  raised  on  each,  to  mark 
where  they  lay.  Twelve  coffins  were  sent  to  receive 


LOSS   OP  ?HREE  MERCHANT  SHIPS.  241 

the  bodies  of  the  women,  but  nine  only  being  found,  the 
supernumerary  ones  were  appointed  to  receive  the  re- 
mains of  the  officers. 

Two  wagons  were  next  sent  to  the  Fleet-water  to  re- 
ceive the  coffins,  in  which  the  shrouded  bodies  of  seven- 
teen officers  and  nine  women  had  been  placed,  and  on 
the  24th  were  carried  to  the  church-yard  at  Wyke,  pre- 
ceded by  a  captain,  subaltern  and  fifty  men  of  the  Glou- 
cester Militia,  and  attended  by  the  young  gentleman  be- 
fore mentioned,  Mr.  Smith,  as  chief  mourner.  The  offi- 
cers were  interred  in  a  large  grave,  north  of  the  church- 
tower,  with  military  honors,  and  lieutenant  Ker  in  a 
grave  on  the  other  side  of  the  tower.  The  remains  of  _. 
the  nine  women,  which  had  been  deposited  in  the 
during  the  ceremony,  were  next  committed  to  the  e? 
Two  monuments  have  been  erected  in  corrm^y  jn 
tion  of  the  unfortunate  sufferers,  the  first  bf_5oat 
following  inscription  : —  P  Lascars  • 

"To  the  memory  of  Captain  Ambrose  Wiscars  were 
croft,  Lieutenant  Harry  Ash,  and  Mr.  Kelly,  s  to  fifteen 
the  63d  regiment  of  Light  Infantry ;  of  Lieuten. 
phen  Jenner,  of  the  6th  West-India  regiment;  Lieuwreef 
Stains  of  the  2d  West  India  regiment;  and  two  hundi^s' 
and  fifteen  soldiers  and  seamen  and  nine  women,  wh^ 
perished  by  shipwreck  on  Portland  Beach,  opposite  the 
villages  of  Langton,  Fleet,  and  Chickerell,  on  Wednes- 
day the  18th  day  of  November,  1795." 
On  the  second  monument  is  inscribed, 
"  Sacred  to  the  memory  of  Major  John  Charles  Ker, 
Military  Commandant  of  Hospitals  in  the  Leeward 
Islands,  and  to  that  of  his  son,  Lieutenant  James  Ker, 
of  the  40th  regiment  of  foot,  who  both  departed  this  life 
on  the  18th  of  November,  1795,  the  first  aged  forty  and 
the  latter  fourteen  years." 

The  fate  of  both  was  truly  deplorable,   and  is  a  me- 
.  lancholy  example  of  the  uncertainty  of  human  affairs. 

They  were  embarked  in  the  Venus  transport,  and  left 
Portsmouth  the  16th  of  November,  with  a  fleet  full  of 
troops,  destined  to  the  West  Indies,  under  the  command 
of  General  Sir  Ralph  Abercrombie. 
21 


242  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

A  storm  having  arisen  on  the  17th  which  lasted  till 
the  next  day,  many  of  the  ships  were  lost,  and  the  Venus 
wrecked  on  Portland  Beach. 

The  major's  body  could  not  be  found,  although  it  is 
possible  it  may  have  been  among  the  many  others  which 
were  driven  ashore  and  buried  in  this  church-yard. 

His  son's  corpse  was  recognised  and  lies  interred  under 
this  stone,  which  was  raised  by  his  brother,  John  Wil- 
liam Ker,  Esq. 


.WRECK  OF  THE  BRITISH  SHIP  SIDNEY. 

Wx 

ofca         ®n  a  reef  of  rocks  in  the  South  Sea. 
he  had  iv 

friends  aine7  \Q&  P°rt  Jackson,  on  the  coast  of  New  Hoi- 
had  the  s:e  l^th  of  April,  1806,  bound  to  Bengal.     In- 
rescued  frproceed  through  Dampier's  Straits,  her  course 
ed  as  nearly  as  possible  in  the  track  of  Captain 
t  °f  tne  Cornwallis,  which,  as  laid  down  in  the 
to  -'ts,  appeared  a  safe  and  easy  passage.     But,  on  the 
pch  of  May,  at  one,  A.  M.,  we  ran  upon  a  most  danger- 
as  rock,  or  shoal,  in  3  20  south  latitude,  and  146  50  east 
longitude,  and  as  this  reef  is  not  noticed  in  any  map  or 
chart,  it  appears  that  we  were  its  unfortunate  discov- 
erers. 

On  Sunday,  25  fathoms  of  water  were  found  over 
the  taffrail,  and  six  fathoms  over  the  larboard  gang- 
way ;  only  nine  feet  on  the  starboard  side,  and  12  feet 
over  the  bows.  One  of  the  boats  was  immediately  got 
out  with  a  bower-anchor ;  but  on  sounding,  at  the  dis- 
tance of  ten  fathoms  from  the  ship,  no  ground  could  be 
found  with  sixty  fathoms  of  line. 

When  she  struck  it  must  have  been  high  water,  for  at 
that  time  there  was  no  appearance  of  any  reef  or  breaker  ; 
but  as  the  water  subsided,  the  shoal  began  to  show  itself, 
with  a  number  of  small  black  rocks.  The  ship  had 
been  striking  very  hard,  and  began  to  yield  forward. — 
At  three,  A.  M.  there  were  six  feet  water  in  the  hold, 


WRECK  OF  THE  BRITISH  SHIP  SIDNEY.  243 

and  increasing  rapidly ;  at  five,  the  vessel  was  settling 
aft,  and  her  top-sides  parting  from  the  floor-heads. 

Upon  consultation  with  my  officers,  it  was  our  unani- 
mous opinion  that  the  ship  was  gone  beyond  recovery, 
and  that  no  exertions  could  avail  for  her  safety.  We 
therefore  employed  all  hands  in  getting  the  boats  ready 
to  receive  the  crew,  who  were  108  in  number.  Eight 
bags  of  rice,  six  casks  of  water,  and  a  small  quantity  of 
salted  beef  and  pork,  were  put  into  the  long-boat  as  pro- 
visions for  the  whole;  the  number  of  the  people  prevented 
us  from  taking  a  larger  stock,  as  the  three  boats  were 
barely  sufficient  to  receive  us  all  with  safety. 

We  remained  with  the  Sidney  until  five,  P.  M.  on  the 
twenty-first  of  May,  when  there  were  three  feet  of  water 
on  the  orlop-deck ;  therefore  we  now  thought  it  full  time 
to  leave  the  ship  to  her  fate,  and  seek  our  safety  in  the 
boats.  Accordingly,  I  embarked  in  the  long-boat  with 
Mr.  Trounce,  second  officer,  and  seventy-four  Lascars ; 
Mr.  Robson  and  Mr.  Halkart,  with  sixteen  Lascars,  were 
in  the  cutter,  and  the  jolly-boat  was  allotted  to  fifteen 
Dutch  Malays,  and  one  Sepoy. 

Being  desirous  to  ascertain  the  position  of  the  reef, 
which  could  be  done  by  making  the  Admiralty  Islands, 
our  course  was  shaped  thither,  steering  north  by  east 
and  half  east.  During  the  night,  it  blew  fresh,  and  the 
long-boat  having  made  much  water,  we  were  obliged  to 
lighten  her,  by  throwing  a  great  deal  of  lumber,  and  two 
casks  of  water,  overboard.  The  three  boats  kept  close 
in  company,  the  long-boat  having  the  jolly-boat  in  tow. 

Finding,  at  day-light,  that  the  cutter  sailed  considera- 
bly better,  I  directed  Mr.  Robson  that  the  jolly-boat 
might  be  taken  ir\  tow  by  her.  But  the  wind  increasing 
as  the  morning  advanced,  and  a  heavy  swell  rising,  the 
jolly-boat,  while  in  tow  by  the  cutter,  sank  at  ten  o'- 
clock, and  all  on  board,  to  the  number  of  sixteen,  perish- 
ed, It  was  lamentable  to  witness  the  fate  of  these  un- 
happy men,  and  the  more  so,  as  it  was  not  in  our  power 
to  render  them  the  smallest  assistance. 

The  Admiralty  Islands  were  seen  at  noon  of  the  22d, 
bearing  N.  N.  E.  three  or  four  leagues  distant,  and  as  we 


REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 


had  run  about  fifty-eight  miles  in  the  boats,  upon  a  N  by 
E.  course,  the  situation  of  the  shoal  where  the 
kidney  struck  was  accurately  ascertained,  and  will  be 
tound  as  above  laid  down. 

From  the  Admiralty  Islands,  we  continued  standing  to 
the  westward,  and  on  the  25th,  made  a  small  island,  on 
which,  from  its  appearance,  I  was  induced  to  land  in 
quest  of  a  supply  of  water.  Therefore  Mr.  Robson  my-  "' 
self;  and  twenty  of  our  best  hands,  armed  with  heavy 
clubs,  brought  from  New  Caledonia,  (our  fire-arms  beine 
rendered  useless  from  exposure  to  the  rain)  landed 
through  a  high  surf,  to  the  utmost  astonishment  of  the 
inhabitants. 

As  far  as  might  be  judged,  they  had  never  before  seen 
people  of  pur  complexion.     The  men  were  tall  and  well 
made,  wearing  their  hair  plaited  and  raised  above  the 
head ;  they  had  no  resemblance  to  Malays  or  Caffres  •— 
and  excepting  their  color,  which  was  of  a  light  copper 
they  had  the  form  and  features  of  Europeans      They 
were  entirely  naked.     We  also  saw  a  number  of  women 
who  were  well  formed,  and  had  mild  and  pleasing  fea- 
tures. 

We  were  received  on  the  beach  by  about  twenty  na- 
tives, who  immediately  supplied  each  of  us  with  a  cocoa- 
nut.  We  succeeded  in  making  them  understand  that 
we  wanted  water,  on  which  they  made  signs  for  us  to 
accompany  them  to  the  interior  of  the  island ;  on  com- 
pliance, after  walking  about  a  mile,  they  conducted  us 
mto  a  thick  jungle,  and,  as  their  number  was  quickly 
increasing,  I  judged  it  imprudent  to  proceed  further  — - 
1  bus  returning  to  the  beach,  I  was  alarmed  to  find  that 
one  hundred  and  fifty,  or  more,  of  the  natives  had  assem- 
bled, armed  with  spears  eight  or  ten  feet  long.  One  of 
them,  an  old  man  of  venerable  appearance,  and  who 
seemed  to  be  their  chief,  approached  and  threw  his 
spear  at  my  feet,  expressive,  as  I  understood,  of  his  wish 
that  we  should  part  with  our  clubs  in  like  manner.  Per- 
ceiving, at  this  time,  that  a  crowd  of  women  had  got  hold  '-i 
of  the  stern-fast  of  the  cutter,  and  were  endeavoring  to 
haul  her  on  shore  from  the  grapnel,  we  hastily  tried  to 


WRECK  OF  THE  BRITISH  SHIP  SIDNEY.  245 

gain  the  boat.  The  natives  followed  us  closely;  some  of 
them  pointed  their  spears  at  us  as  we  retreated,  and 
some  were  thrown,  though  happily  without  effect ;  and 
to  us  they  seemed  to  be  very  inexpert  in  the  management 
of  their  weapons.  On  my  getting  into  the  water,  three 
or  four  of  the  natives  followed  me,  threatening  to  throw 
their  spears,  and  when  I  was  within  reach  of  the  boat, 
one  of  them  made  a  thrust,  which  was  prevented  from 
taking  effect  by  Mr.  Robson,  who  warded  off  the  wea- 
pon. When  we  had  got  into  the  boat,  and  were  putting 
off,  they  threw,  at  least,  two  hundred  spears,  noife  of 
which  struck,  excepting  one,  which  gave  a  severe  wound 
to  my  cook,  entering  immediately  above  the  jaw,  and 
passing  through  his  mouth. 

Having  escaped  this  perilous  adventure  we  pursued 
j>ur  course,  and  got  as  far  as  Dampier's  Straits,  in  as  fa- 
^•orable  circumstances  as  ouT  situation  could  well  admit. 
But  the  Lascars,  now  being  within  reach  of  land,  became 
impatient  to  be  put  on  shore.  It  was  in  vain  that  I  ex-  « 
horted  them  to  persevere  ;  they  would  not  listen  to  argu- 
ment, and  expressed  their  wish  rather  to  meet  with  im- 
mediate death  on  shore,  than  to  be  starved  to  death  in 
the  boats.  Yielding  to  their  importunity,  I  at  length  de- 
termined to  land  them  on  the  northwest  extremity  of  the 
island  of  Ceram,  from  whence  they  might  travel  to  Am- 
bqyna'in  two  or  three  days.  Being  off  that  part  of  the 
isi&nd  on  the  ninth  of  June,  Mr.  Robson  volunteered  to 
land  a  portion  of  the  people  in  the  cutter,  to  return  to  the 
long-boat,  and  the  cutter  to  be  then  given  up  to  such 
further  portion  of  the  crew  as  chose  to  join  the  party 
fi rsj.  landed.  Accordingly  he  went  ashore  with  the  cut- 
ter, but  to  my  great  mortification,  after  waiting  two  days, 
there  was  no  appearance  of  his  return  or  of  the  cutter. 

We  concluded  that  the  people  had  been  detained  either 
by  the  Dutch  or  the  natives.  Yet  as  the  remaining  part 
of  the  Lascars  were  desirous  to  be  landed,  we  stood-in 
with  the  long-boat,  and  put  them  on  shore  near  the  point 
where  we  supposed  the  cutter  to  have  landed  her  people. 

Our  number  in  the  long-boat  were  now  reduced  to  se- 
venteen, consisting  of  Mr.   Trounce,   Mr.  Halkart,  my- 
21* 


246  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS, 

self  and  fourteen  Lascars  and  others.  Our  stock  of  pro 
vision  was  two  bags  of  rice  and  one  gang  cask  ef  water, 
with  which  we  conceived  we  might  hold  out  until  reach- 
ing Bencoolen,  whither  we  determined  to  make  the  best 
of  our  way.  The  allowance  to  each  man  we  fixed  as 
one  tea-cupful  of  rice  and  a  pint  of  water  daily,  but  we 
soon  found  it  necessary  to  make  a  considerable  reduc- 
tion. 

Proceeding  through  the  straits  of  Bantam,  we  met  in  ouf 
course  several  Malay  prows,  none  of  which  took  notice 
of  us  excepting  one,  which  gave  chase  for  a  day,  and 
would  have  come  up  with  us  had  we  not  got  off  under 
cover  of  a  very  dark  night.  Continuing  onwards,  we 
passed  through  the  strait  of  Saypay,  where  we  caught  a 
large  shark.  Our  spirits  were  much  elated  by  this  valu- 
able prize,  which  we  lost  no  time  in  getting  on  board; 
and  having  kindled  a  fire  in  the  bottom  of  the  boat,  it 
was  roasted  with  all  expedition.  Such  was  the  keen- 
ness of  our  appetite,  that  although  the  shark  must  have 
weighed  one  hundred  and  fifty  or  one  hundred  and  sixty 
pounds,  not  a  vestige  of  it  remained  at  the  close  of  the 
day.  But  we  were  afflicted  on  the  following  day  with 
the  most  violent  complaint  of  the  stomach  and  bowels, 
which  reduced  us  exceedingly,  and  left  us  languid  and 
spiritless,  insomuch  that  we  now  despaired  of  safety. 

On  the  second  of  July,  I  lost  an  old  and  faithful  ser- 
vant, who  died  from  want  of  sustenance :  and  on  the 
fourth,  we  made  Java  head  ;  at  the  same  time  catching 
two  large  boobies,  which  afforded  all  hands  a  most  pre- 
cious and  refreshing  meal.  At  midnight  of  the  ninth, 
we  came  to  off  Pulo  Penang,  on  the  west  coast  of  Suma- 
tra; but  at  daylight,  when  endeavoring  to  weigh  our 
anchor  and  run  close  in  shore,  we  were  so  much  ex- 
hausted that  our  united  strength  proved  insufficient  to 
get  it  up. 

On  a  signal  of  distress  being  made,  a  sanpan  with  two 
Malays  came  off,  and  as  I  was  the  only  person  in  the 
long- boat  who  had  sufficient  strength  to  move,  I  accom- 
panied them  on  shore.  However,  I  found  myself  so 
weak  on  landing  that  I  fell  to  the  ground,  and  it  was 


W  RECK  OF  THE  BRITISH  SHIP  SIDNEY.  247 

necessary  to  carry  me  to  an  adjacent  house.  Such  re- 
freshments as  could  be  procured  were  immediately  sent 
off  to  the  long-boat,  and  we  recruited  so  rapidly,  that  in 
two  days  we  found  ourselves  in  a  condition  to  proceed 
on  our  voyage.  Having  weighed  anchor  on  the  12th  of 
July,  we  set  sail,  and  on  the  19th,  arrived  off  the  island 
of  Bencoolen, 

Here  I  met  with  an  old  friend,  captain  Chauvet  of  the 
Perseverance,  whose  kindness  and  humanity  I  shall  ever 
remember  and  gratefully  acknowledge.  On  the  day 
subsequent  to  my  arrival,  I  waited  on  Mr.  Parr  the  resi- 
dent, from  whom  I  received  every  attention. 

Leaving  Bencoolen  on  the  17th  of  August,  in  the  Per- 
severance, I  arrived  at  Penanp,  on  the  27th,  where  I  was 
agreeably  surprised  to  meet  my  late  chief-mate,  Mr.  Rob- 
son,  who,  along  with  the  Lascars,  had  landed  at  Ceram. 
They  reached  Amboyna  in  safety,  where  they  were  re- 
ceived by  the  Dutch  governor,  Mr.  Cranstoun,  with  a 
humanity  and  benevolence  that  reflect  honor  on  his  cha- 
racter. He  supplied  them  with  whatever  their  wants 
required.  Mr.  Robson  was  accommodated  at  his  own 
table,  and,  on  leaving  Amboyna,  he  furnished  him  money 
for  himself  and  his  people,  for  the  amount  of  which  he 
refused  to  take  any  receipt  or  acknowledgment.  He  also 
gave  Mr.  Robson  letters  to  the  governor-general  of  Ba- 
tavia,  recommending  him  to  his  kind  offices.  Such 
honorable  conduct  from  the  governor  of  a  foreign  country, 
and  with  which  we  were  at  war,  cannot  be  too  widely 
promulgated.  From  Amboyna,  Mr.  Robson  embarked 
in  the  Pallas,  a  Dutch  frigate,  for  Batavia,  which  on  the 
passage  thither  was  captured  by  his  majesty's  ships 
Greyhound  and  Harriet,  and  brought  to  Prince  of  Wales' 
island. 

From  Penang  I  sailed  to  Bengal  with  the  Paruna, 
captain  Denison,  and  arrived  safely  in  Calcutta  in  the 
beginning  of  May,  1806. 


LOSS  OF  THE  RAMILLIES  IN  THE  ATLANTIC 
OCEAN. 

ADMIRAL  (afterwards  Lord)  Graves  having  requested 
leave  to  return  to  England  in  1782,  was  appointed  by 
lord  Rodney  to  command  the  convoy  sent  home  with  the 
numerous  fleet  of  merchantmen  from  the  West  Indies  in 
the  month  of  July.  He  accordingly  hoisted  his  flag  on 
board  the  Ramillies,  of  seventy-four  guns,  and  sailed  on 
the  25th  from  Blue  Fields,  having  under  his  orders  the 
Canada  and  Centaur  of  seventy-four  guns  each,  the  Pallas 
frigate  of  thirty-six  guns,  and  the  following  French 
ships,  taken  by  lord  Rodney  and  Sir  Samuel  Hood,  out 
of  the  armament  commanded  by  the  count  de  Grasse, 
viz.  the  Ville  de  Paris,  of  one  hundred  and  ten  guns ;  the 
Glorieux  and  Hector,  of  seventy-four  gnus  each;  the 
Ardent,  Caton,  and  Jason,  of  six  guns  each.  Those 
which  were  originally  British  ships  had  been  in  so  many 
actions,  and  so  long  absent  from  England,  as  to  have 
become  extremely  out  of  condition,  while  that  of  the 
prizes  was  still  more  deplorable,  and  the  following  au- 
thentic account  of  the  various  disasters  which  attended 
this  distressed  convoy  will  be  found  equally  melancholy 
and  interesting. 

Soon  after  the  fleet  had  sailed,  the  officers  of  the  Ar- 
dent united  in  signing  such  a  representation  of  her  mise- 
rable plight  as  induced  admiral  Graves  to  order  her  back 
to  Port  Royal ;  and  the  Jason,  by  not  putting  to  sea  with 
the  convoy,  from  want  of  water,  never  joined  him  at  all. 
The  rest  proceeded,  and  after  those  vessels  that  were 
bound  for  New  York  had  separated,  the  whole  convoy 
was  reduced  to  ninety-two  or  three  sail. 

On  the  8th  of  September  the  Caton  springing  a  leak, 
made  such  alarming  complaints,  that  the  admiral  direct- 
ed her  and  the  Pallas,  also  became  leaky,  to  bear  away 
immediately,  and  keep  company  together,  making  for 


LOSS  OF  THE  RAMILLIES.  249 

Halifax,  which  then  bore  N.  N.  W.  and  was  but  eighty- 
seven  leagues  distant. 

The  afternoon  of  the  16th  of  September  showing  indi- 
cations of  a  gale  arid  foul  weather  from  the  south-east 
quarter,  every  preparation  was  made  on  board  the  flag- 
ship for  such  an  event,  not  only  on  account  of  her  own 
safety,  but  also  as  an  example  to  the  rest  of  the  fleet. 
The  admiral  collected  the  ships  about  six  o'clock,  and 
brought  to  under  his  mainsail  on  the  larboard  tack,  hav- 
ing all  his  other  sails  furled,  and  his  top-gallant  yards 
and  masts  lowered  down. 

The  wind  soon  increasing,  blew  strong  from  the  E.  S. 
E.  with  a  very  heavy  sea,  and  about  three  o'clock  in  the 
morning  of  the  17th  flew  suddenly  round  to  the  contrary 
point,  blowing  most  tremendously,  and  accompanied 
with  rain,  thunder,  and  lightning;  the  Ramillies  was 
taken  by  the  lee,  her  main-sail  thrown  back,  her  main- 
mast went  by  the  board,  and  mizzen-mast  half  way  "up ; 
the  fore-top  mast  fell  over  the  starboard  bow,  the  fore- 
yard  broke  in  the  slings,  the  tiller  snapped  in  two,  and 
the  rudder  was  nearly  torn  off.  Thus  was  this  capital 
ship,  from  being  in  perfect  order,  reduced,  within  a  few 
minutes, to  a  mere  wreck,  by  the  fury  of  the  blast  and 
the  violence  of  the  sea,  which  acted  in  opposition  to  each 
other.  The  ship  was  pooped,  the  cabin,  where  the  ad- 
miral lay, was  flooded,  his  cot-bed  jerked  down  by  the 
violence  of  the  shock  and  the  ship's  instantaneous  revul- 
sion, so  that  he  was  obliged  to  pull  on  his  boots  half  leg 
deep  in  water,  without  any  stockings,  to  huddle  on  his 
wet  clothes,  and  repair  upon  deck.  On  his  first  coming 
thither,  he  ordered  two  of  the  lieutenants  to  examine  in- 
to the  state  of  the  affairs  below,  and  to  keep  a  sufficient 
number  of  people  at  the  pumps,  while  he  himself  and  the 
captain  kept  the  deck,  to  encourage  the  men  to  clear 
away  the  wreck,  which,  by  its  constant  swinging  back- 
wards and  forwards  by  every  wave  against  the  body  of 
the  ship,  had  beaten  off  much  of  the  copper  from  the 
starboard  side,  and  exposed  the  seams  so  much  to  the 
sea  that  the  decayed  oakum  washed  out,  and  the  whole 
frame  became  at  once  exceedingly  porous  and  leaky. 


250 


REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 


At  dawn  of  day  they  perceived  a  large  ship  lying  un- 
der  their  lee,  upon   her  side,  water-logged,  her  hands 
attempting  to  wear  her  by  first  cutting  away  the  miz- 
zen-mast,  and  then   her  main-mast;    hoisting  her   en- 
sign, with  the  union  downwards  in  order  to  draw  the  at- 
tention of  the  fleet ;  but  to  no  purpose,  for  no  succor 
couljd  be  given,  and  she  very  soon  went  down  head  fore- 
most, the  fly  of  her  ensign  being  the  last  thing  visible. 
This  was  the  Button,  formerly  an  East  Indiaman,  and 
then  a  store-ship,  commanded  by  a  lieutenant  of  the 
navy,  who  in  his  agitation,   leaped  from  her  de.ck  into 
the  sea ;  but,  as  might  be  expected,  was  very  soon  over- 
whelmed by  its  billows.     Twelve  or  thirteen  of  the  crew 
contrived,  however,  to  slide  off  one  of  the  boats,  and 
running  with  the  wind,  first  endeavored  to  reach  a  large 
ship  before  them,   which,  not  being  able  to  fetch,  and 
afraid  of  filling  if  they  attempted  to  haul  up  for  the  pur- 
pose, they  made  up  for  another  ship  more  to  the  leeward, 
who  fortunately  descrying  them,   threw  a  number  of 
ropes,   by  the   help  of  which   these   desperate  fellows 
scrambled  up  her   sides,    and  fortunately  saved   their 
lives.     Oiit  of  ninety  four  or  five  sail,  seen  the  day  be- 
fore, scarcely  twenty  could  now  be  counted  ;  of  the  ships 
of  war,  there  were  discerned  the  Canada,  half  hull  down 
upon   the  lee-quarter,    having   her  main-top-mast  and 
mizzen-mast   gone,  the  main-top  damaged,    the  main- 
yard  aloft,  and  the  main-sail  furled;  the  Centaur  was 
far  to  windward,  without  masts,  bowsprit,  or  rudder ; 
and  the  Glorieux  without  foremast,  bowsprit,  or  main- 
top-mast.    Of  these  the  two  latter  perished  with  all  their 
crews,  excepting  the  captain  of  the  Centaur,  and  a  few 
of  his  people,  who  contrived  to  slip  off  her  stern  into  one 
of  the  boats  unnoticed,  and  thus  escaped  the  fate  of  the 
rest  of  the  crew. 

The  Ville  de  Paris  appeared  to  have  received  no  in- 
jury, and  was  commanded  by  a  most  experienced  sea- 
man, who  had  made  twenty-four  voyages  to  and  from 
the  West  Indies,  and  had,  therefore,  been  pitched  upon 
to  lead  the  ship  through  the  gulf;  nevertheless  she  was 
afterwards  buried  in  the  ocean  with  all  on  board  he». 


LOSS   OF   THE   RAMILLIES.  251 

consisting  of  above  eight  hundred  people.  Of  the  con- 
voy, besides  the  Button,  before  mentioned,  and  the  Bri- 
tish Queen,  seven  others  were  discovered  without  masts 
or  bowsprits ;  eighteen  lost  masts,  and  several  others  had 
foundered. 

In  the  course  of  this  day  the  Canada  crossed  upon  and 
passed  the  Ramillies ;  some  of  the  trade  attempted  to 
follow  the  Canada,  but  she  ran  at  such  a  rate  that  they 
soon  found  it  to  be  in  vain,  and  then  returned  towards 
the  flag-ship ;  the  Ramillies  had  at  this  time  six  feet 
water  in  her  hold,  and  the  pumps  would  not  free  her, 
the  water  having  worked  out  the  oakum,  and  her  beams 
amid-ship  being  almost  drawn  from  their  clamps. 

The  admiral,  therefore,  gave  orders  for  all  the  buckets 
to  be  manned,  and  every  officer  to  help  towards  freeing 
the  ship ;  the  mizzen-top-sail  was  set  upon  the  fore-mast, 
the  main-top-gallant-sail  on  the  stump  of  the  mizzen- 
mast,  and  the  tiller  shipped.  In  this  condition,  by  bear- 
ing away,  she  scudded  on  at  so  good  a  rate  that  she  held 
pace  with  some  of  ths  merchantmen. 

The  day  having  been  spent  in  bailing  and  pumping, 
without  materially  gaining  on  the  water,  the  captain,  in 
the  name  of  the  officers,  represented  to  the  admiral  the 
necessity  of  parting  with  the  guns  for  the  relief  of  the 
ship,  but  he  objected,  that  there  would  then  be  left  no 
protection  for  the  convoy.  At  length,  however,  after 
great  difficulty,  he  consented  to  their  disposing  of  the 
fore-castle  and  after-most  quarter-deck  guns,  together 
with  some  of  the  shot,  and  other  articles  of  very  great 
weight.  The  ensuing  night  was  employed  in  bailing 
and  endeavoring  to  make  the  pumps  useful,  for  the  bal- 
last,by  getting  into  the  well,  had  choked  and  rendered 
them  useless,  and  the  chains  had  broken  every  time  they 
were  repaired.  The  water  had  risen  to  seven  feet  in 
the  hold.  The  wind  from  the  westward  drove  a  vast 
sea  before  it,  and  the  ship  being  old,  strained  most  vio- 
lently. 

On  the  morning  of  the  18th,  nothing  could  be  seen  of 
the  Canada,  she  having  pushed  on  at  her  greatest  speed 
for  England.  The  frame  of  the  Ramillies  having  opened 


252  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

during  the  night,  the  admiral  was  prevailed  upon,  by 
the  renewed  and  pressing  remonstrances  of  the  officers, 
although  with  great  reluctance,  to  let  six  of  the  forward- 
most  and  four  of  the  aftermost  guns  of  the  main-deck  to 
be  thrown  overboard,  together  with  the  remainder  of 
those  on  the  quarter-deck ;  and  the  ship  still  continuing 
to  open  very  much,  he  ordered  tarred  canvas  and  hides 
to  be  nailed  fore  and  aft  from  under  the  sills  of  the  ports 
on  the  main-deck  under  the  fifth  plank  above,  or  within 
the  water-ways,  and  the  crew,  without  orders, did  the 
same  on  the  lower  deck.  Her  increasing  complaints  re- 
quiring still  more  to  be  done,  the  admiral  directed  all  the 
guns  on  the  upper  deck,  the  shot,  both  on  that  and  the 
lower  deck,  and  various  heavy  stores  to  be  thrown  over- 
board; a  leakage  in  the  light  room  of  the  grand  maga- 
zine having  almost  rilled  the  ship  forward,  and  there 
being  eight  feet  water  in  the  magazine,  every  gentleman 
was  compelled  to  take  his  turn  at  the  whips,  or  in  hand- 
ing the  buckets.  The  ship  was  besides  frapped  from  the 
fore-mast  to  the  mainmast. 

Notwithstanding  their  utmost  efforts  the  water  still 
gained  on  them;  the  succeeding  night,  the  wind  blowing 
very  hard,  with  extremely  heavy  squalls,  a  part  of  the 
orlop-deck  fell  into  the  hold ;  the  ship  herself  seemed  to 
work  excessively,  and  to  settle  forward. 

On  the  morning  of  the  19th,  under  these  very  alarm- 
ing circumstances,  the  admiral  commanded  both  the 
bower-anchors  to  be  cut  away,  all  the  junk  to  be  flung 
overboard,  one  sheet  and  one  bower  cable  to  be  reduced 
to  junk  and  served  the  same  way,  together  with  every 
remaining  ponderous  store  that  could  be  got  at,  and  all 
the  powder  in  the  grand  magazine  (it  being  damaged  ;) 
the  cutter  and  pinnace  to  be  broken  up  and  tossed  over- 
board, the  skidds  having  already  worked  off  the  side ; 
every  soul  on  board  was  now  employed  in  bailing.  One 
of  the  pumps  was  got  up,  but  to  no  purpose,  for  the  shot- 
lockers  being  broken  down,  some  of  the  shot,  as  well  as 
the  ballast,  had  fallen  into  the  well ;  and  as  the  wea- 
ther moderated  a  little,  every  thing  was  made  ready  to 
heave  the  lower  deck  guns  into  the  sea,  the  admiral  be- 


LOSS   OF   THE    RAMILLIES.  253 

ing  anxious  to  leave  nothing  undone  for  the  relief  of  the 
ship. 

When  evening  approached,  there  being  twenty  mer- 
chant ships  in  sight,  the  officers  united  in  beseeching 
him  to  go  into  one  of  them,  but  this  he  positively  refused 
to  do,  deeming  it,  as  he  declared,  unpardonable  in  a 
commander-in-chief  to  desert  his  garrison  in  distress ; 
that  his  living  a  few  years  longer  was  of  very  little  con- 
sequence, but  that,  by  leaving  his  ship  at  such  a  time, 
he  should  discourage  and  slacken  the  exertions  of  the 
people,  by  setting  a  very  bad  example.  The  wind  lull- 
ing somewhat  during  the  night ;  all  hands  bailed  the  wa- 
ter, which,  at  this  time,  was  six  feet  fore  and  aft. 

On  the  morning  of  the  20th,  the  admiral  ordered  the 
the  spare  and  stream  anchors  to  be  cut  away,  and  with- 
in the  course  of  the  day  all  the  lower  deck  guns  to  be 
Grown  overboard.  When  evening  came,  the  spirits  of 
the  people  in  general,  and  even  of  the  most  courageous, 
began  to  fail,  and  they  openly  expressed  the  utmost  des- 
pair, together  with  the  most  earnest  desire  of  quitting 
the  ship,  lest  they  should  founder  in  her.  The  admiral 
hereupon  advanced  and  told  them,  that  he  and  their 
officers  had  an  equal  regard  for  their  own  lives,  and  that 
the  officers  had  no  intention  of  deserting  either  them  or 
the  ship ;  that,  for  his  part,  he  was  determined  to  try  one 
night  more  in  her;  he,  therefore,  hoped  and  entreated 
'  they  would  do  so  too,  for  there  was  still  room  to  imagine, 
that  one  fair  day,  with  a  moderate  sea,  rright  enable 
them,  by  united  exertions,  to  clear  and  secure  the  well 
against  the  encroaching  ballast  which  washed  into  it ; 
that  if  this  could  be  done,  they  might  be  able  to  restore 
the  chains  to  the  pumps,  and  us\i  them ;  and  that  then 
hands  enough  might  be  spared  to  raise  jury-masts,  with 
which  they  might  carry  the  ship  to  Ireland ;  that  her 
appearance  alone,  while  she  could  swim,  would  be  suffi- 
cient to  protect  the  remaining  part  of  her  convoy ;  above 
all,  that  as  every  thing  that  could  be  thought  of  had  now 
been  done  for  her  relief,  it  would  be  but  reasonable  to  wait 
the  effect.  He  concluded  with  assuring  them,  that  he 
would  make  the  signal  directly  for  the  trade  to  lie  by 
22 


254  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

them  during  the  night,  which  he  doubted  not  they  woul£ 
comply  with. 

This  temperate  speech  had  the  desired  effect;  the 
firmness  and  confidence  with  which  he  spoke,  and  theii 
reliance  on  his  seamanship  and  judgment,  as  well  as  his 
constant  presence  and  attention  to  every  accident,  had  a 
wonderful  effect  upon  them  ;  they  became  pacified,  and 
returned  to  their  duty  and  their  labors.  Since  the  first 
disaster,  the  admiral  had,  in  fact,  scarcely  ever  quitted 
the  deck ;  this  they  had  all  observed,  together  with  his 
diligence  in  personally  inspecting  every  circumstance  of 
distress.  Knowing  his  skill  and  experience,  they  placed 
great  confidence  in  them;  and  he  instantly  made,  ac- 
cording to  his  promise,  a  signal  for  all  the  merchantmen. 
At  this  period,  it  must  be  confessed,  there  was  great 
reason  for  alarm,  and  but  little  for  hope  ;  for  all  the  an- 
chors and  guns,  excepting  one,  together  with  every  other 
matter  of  weight,  had  been  thrown  overboard,  and  yet 
the  ship  did  not  seem  ai  all  relieved.  The  strength  of 
the  people  was,  likewise,  so  nearly  exhausted,  having 
had  no  sleep  since  the  first  fatal  stroke,  that  one  half  of 
the  crew  were  ordered  to  bail  and  the  other  to  repose ; 
so  that,  although  the  wind  was  much  abated,  the  water 
still  gained  upon  them,  in  spite  of  all  their  efforts,  and 
the  ship  rolled  and  worked  most  prodigiously  in  a  most 
unquiet  sea. 

At  three  in  the  morning  of  the  21st,  being  the  fourth 
night,  the  well  being  quite  broken  in,  the  casks,  ballast 
and  remaining  shot  rushed  together  and  destroyed  the 
cylinders  of  the  pumps ;  the  frame  and  carcass  of  the 
ship  began  to  give  way  in  every  part,  and  the  whole 
crew  exclaimed  that  it  was  impossible  to  keep  her  any 
longer  above  water. 

In  this  extremity,  the  admiral  resolved  within  himself 
not  to  lose  a  moment  in  removing  the  people  whenever 
daylight  should  arrive,  but  told  the  captain  not  to  com- 
municate any  more  of  his  design  than  that  he  intended 
to  remove  the  sick  and  lame  at  day-break  ;  and  for  this 
purpose  he  should  call  on  board  all  the  boats  of  the  mer- 
chantmen. He,  nevertheless,  gave  private  orders  to  the 


LOSS  OF  THE  RAMILLIES.  255* 

captain,  while  this  was  doing,  to  have  all  the  bread 
brought  upon  the  quarter-deck,  with  a  quantity  of  beef, 
pork,  and  flour,  to  settle  the  best  distribution  of  the  peo- 
ple according  to  the  number  of  the  trade-ships  that  should 
obey  their  signal,  and  to  allow  an  officer  to  each  division 
of  them  ;  to  have  the  remaining  boats  launched,  -and  as 
soon  as  the  sick  were  disposed  of,  to  begin  to  remove  the 
whole  of  the  crew,  with  the  utmost  despatch,  but  with- 
out risking  too  many  in  a  boat. 

Accordingly  at  dawn,  the  'signal  was  made  for  the 
boats  of  the  merchantmen,  but  nobody  suspected  what 
was  to  follow,  until  the  bread  was  entirely  removed  and 
the  sick  gone.  About  six  o'clock,  the  rest  of  the  crew 
were  permitted  to  go  off,  and  between  nine  and  ten,  there 
being  nothing  further  to  direct  and  regulate,  the  admiral 
himself,  after  shaking  hands  with  every  officer,  and  leav- 
ing his  barge  for  their  better  accommodation  and  trans- 
port, quitted  forever  the  Ramillies,  which  had  then  nine 
feet  of  water  in  her  hold.  He  went  into  a  small  leaky 
boat,  loaded  with  bread,  out  of  which  both  him  and 
the  surgeon  who  accompanied  him  were  obliged  to  bail 
water  all  the  way.  He  was  in  his  boots,  with  his  sur- 
tout  over  his  uniform,  and  his  countenance  as  calm  and  as 
composed  as  ever.  He  had,  at  going  on0,  desired  a  cloak, 
a  cask  of  flour  and  a  cask  of  water,  but  could  get  only 
the  flour,  and  he  left  behind  all  his  stock,  wines,  furniture, 
books  and  charts,  which  had  cost  him  upwards  of  one 
thousand  pounds,  being  unwilling  to  employ  even  a  single 
servant  in  saving  or  packing  up  what  belonged  to  him- 
self alone,  in  a  time  of  such  general  calamity,  as  to  ap- 
pear better  in  that  respect  than  any  of  the  crew. 

The  admiral  rowed  for  the  Belle,  Captain  Forster,  be- 
ing the  first  of  the  trade  that  had  borne  up  to  the  Ramil- 
lies the  preceding  night  in  her  imminent  distress,  and  by 
his  anxious  humanity  set  such  an  example  to  his  brother 
traders  as  had  a  powerful  influence  upon  them — an  influ- 
ence which  was  generally  followed  by  sixteen  others. 

By  three  o'clock,  most  of  the  crew  were  taken  out.  at 
which  time  the  Ramillies  had  thirteen  feet  of  water  in 
her  hold,  and  was  evidently  foundering  in  every  part ;  at 


256  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 

half  past  four  the  captain,  and  first  and  third  lieutenants, 
left  her,  with  every  soul  excepting  the  fourth  lieutenant, 
who  staid  behind  only  to  execute  the  admiral's  orders  for 
setting  fire  to  her  wreck  when  finally  deserted.  The 
carcass  burned  rapidly,  and  the  flames  quickly  reaching 
the  powder  which  was  filled  in  the  after-magazine,' and 
had  been  lodged  very  high  ;  in  thirty -five  minutes  the 
decks  and  upper  works  blew  up  with  a  horrid  explosion 
and  cloud  of  smoke,  while  the  lower  part  of  the  hull  was 
precipitated  to  the  bottom  of  the  ocean. 

All  this  time  the  admiral,  in  the  Belle,  stood  for  the 
wreck  to  see  his  last  orders  executed,  as  well  as  to  suc- 
cor any  boats  that  might  be  too  full  of  men,  the  swell 
of  the  sea  being  prodigious,  although  the  weather  had 
been  moderate  ever  since  noon  of  the  foregoing  day. 
There  were,  however,  at  intervals,  some  squalls,  with 
threats  of  the  weather  soon  becoming  violent.  It  was 
not  long  before  they  were  realized,  for  within  two 
hours  after  the  last  of  the  crew  were  put  on  board  their 
respective  ships,  the  wind  rose  to  a  great  height,  and  so 
continued,  with  intermission,  for  six  or  seven  successive 
days,  so  that  no  boat  could,  during  thaMime,  have  lived 
in  the  water.  On  such  a  small  interval  depended  the 
salvation  of  more  than  six  hundred  lives  !  Indeed,  dur- 
ing the  four  days  immediately  preceding  this  catastrophe, 
it  blew  such  a  strong  gale,  and  such  a  heavy  sea  followed 
the  Ramillies,  that  it  was  always  necessary  to  keep  her 
with  the  wind  upon  her  quarter,  with  seldom  more  than 
the  sprit-sail  hoisted  upon  her  foremast,  and  at  times 
with  no  sail  at  all,  in  which  state  she  would  run  at  the 
rate  of  six  miles  an  hour.  Whenever  the  main-top-gal- 
lant-sail was  set  on  the  stump  of  the  mizzen-mast  she 
commonly  griped  so  much,  as  to  render  the  steerage 
very  difficult,  and  yet  this  had  been  carried,  whenever  it 
could  be,  in  order  to  keep  pace  with  the  merchantmen,  the 
slowest  of  which  went  nearly  as  fast  under  their  bare 
poles. 

Even  in  running  thus,  the  Ramillies  rolled  prodigiously, 
and  as  she  grew  lighter  every  day  her  motion  became 
the  more  uneasy,  so  that  the  men  could  scarcely  stand  to 


LOSS  OF  THE  RAMILLIES.  257 

their  work  or  keep  their  legs  without  something  to  lay  hold 
by,  There  was  no  such  thing  as  real  repose  for  them  when 
sitting  or  lying  down  upon  deck,  nor  steadiness  enough 
to  eat  or  drink  with  any  security ;  no  meat  could  be 
dressed,  nor  did  any  man  or  officer  go  into  bed.  Until 
the  afternoon  of  the  20th,  there  was  no  venturing  to  bring 
her  to,  even  for  a  boat  to  come  on  board;  but  notwith- 
standing this  desperate  condition,  when  some  were  hour- 
ly dropping  through  fatigue  and  want  of  sleep,  and  the 
decks  were  covered  with  water,  the  whole  of  the  crew 
behaved  with  the  utmost  obedience,  attention  and  sobri- 
ety, and  omitted  no  possible  exertion  for  the  preserva- 
tion of  the  ship. 

Upon  their  separation  taking  place,  the  officers,"  who 
were  distributed  with  portions  of  the  crew  among  the 
Jamaica-men,  had  orders  respectively  to  deliver  them  to 
the  first  man-of-war  or  tender  they  should  meet  with? 
and  to  acquaint  the  Secretary  of  the  Admiralty,  by  the 
earliest  opportunity,  of  their  proceedings.  A  pendant 
was  hoisted  on  board  the  Belle,  by  way  of  distinction, 
that  she  might,  if  possible,  lead  the  rest.  Some  of  the 
trade  kept  with  her,  and  others  made  the  best  of  their 
way,  apprehensive  lest  they  should  soon  fall  short  of 
provisions,  as  they  had  so  many  more  to  feed. 

The  Silver-Eel  transport,  which  had  sailed  from  Blue- 
fields  with  the  invalids  of  Sir  George  Rodney's  fleet,  and 
was  under  the  command  of  a  lieutenant  of  the  navy, 
had  been  ordered  to  keep  near  the  Ramillies.  That  ship 
was  accordingly  at  hand  on  the  21st  of  September,  the  day 
of  her  destruction,  and  in  consequence  of  several  deaths 
on  the  passage  had  room  enough  for  the  reception  of  all  who 
were  now  ailing  or  maimed,  and  was  therefore  charged 
with  them,  being  properly  fitted  for  their  accommodation. 

The  Silver-Eel  parted  from  the  admiral  in  latitude  42 
48  N.  and  longitude  45  19  W.  after  seeing  the  Ramillies 
demolished,  and  being  ordered  to  make  for  the  first  port, 
ran  into  Falmouth  the  6th  of  October,  on  the  afternoon 
of  which  day,  one  of  the  trade-ships,  with  a  midship- 
man and  sixteen  of  the  crew  of  the  Ramillies,  reached 
Plymouth  sound.  Another  of  the  same  convoy,  having 
22* 


258  REMARKABLE  SHIPWRECKS. 

on  board  another  part  of  the  crew,  with  the  captain  and 
first  lieutenant,  anchored  in  the  same  place  before  day- 
light the  next  morning.  The  Canada,  however,  having 
exerted  her  utmost  speed,  had,  prior  to'  all  these,  on  the 
4th  of  the  same  month,  got  to  Portsmouth,  where  she 
spread  the  news  of  the  dispersion  of  this  miserable  fleet, 
which  being  conveyed  to  France,  her  privateers  immedi- 
ately put  to  sea  in  hopes  of  making  prizes  of  them.  Some 
of  the  Jamaica-men,  with  part  of  the  crew  of  the  Ramil- 
lies,  fell  into  their  hands  ;  two  of  theWest  Indiamen  were 
captured  in  sight  of  the  Belle,  but  she  herself  with  the 
admiral  and  thirty-three  of  his  crewTarrived  safe,  though 
singly,  on  the  10th  of  October,  in  Cork  harbor,  where 
was  the  Myrmidon  frigate.  The  Admiral  immediately 
hoisted  hit  flag  on  board  the  latter,  and  sailing  with  the 
first  fair  wind,  arrived,  on  the  17th,  in  Plymouth  Sound, 
apparently  in  good  health,  but  with  a  settled  oppression 
upon  his  breast,  from  having  been  so  long  and  so  dread- 
fully exposed  upon  the  deck  of  the  Ramillies  in  the  hor- 
rid night  when  she  was  first  overtaken  by  the  storm  ; 
nor  could  he  remove  that  complaint  for  upwards  of  six 
montjis.  He  brought  away  with  him  nothing  but  a  few 
of  his^private  papers,  the  rest  of  his  effects  having  shared 
the  same  fate  as  the  ship. 

It  was  calculated  that  by  the  destruction  of  the  fleet, 
upwards  of  twenty  one  thousand  and  five  hundred  persons 
perished.  The  loss  of  property  has  been  estimated  by 
the  British  Government  to  be  upwards  of  £20,000,000. 
The  gale,  which  continued  for  six  days,  was  the  most 
tremendous  one  on  record 


PRESERVATION  OF  NINE  MEN, 

IN  A  SMALL  BOAT,  SURROUNDED  BY  ISLANDS  OF  ICE. 

WE  sailed  from  Plymouth  under  convoy  of  H.  B.  Ma- 
jesty's ship  St.  Alban's,  and  two  other  ships  of  war,  to- 


PRESERVATION  OP  NINE  MEN.  259 

gether  with  a  fleet  of  merchantmen  bound  to  the  Medi- 
terranean, having  a  fresh  gale  at  north-east. 

The  wind,  still  continuing,  we  kept  company  with  the 
fleet  until  reaching  120  leagues  to  the  westward ;  then 
judging  ourselves  clear  of  privateers,  we  proceeded  on 
our  voyage.  But  before  gaining  300  leagues,  on  the  17th 
of  March,  we  came  up  with  an  English-built  ship  of 
about  200  tons,  carrying  twelve  guns,  and  sailing  under 
a  jury  main-mast.  On  our  approach  she  hoisted  Eng- 
lish colors ;  and,  on  being  hailed,  told  us  she  belonged  to 
London,  and  was  now  bound  from  Virginia  homewards, 
which  seemed  pronable,  as  many  tame  fowl  were  on 
board ;  and  a  red  bird  flew  from  her  to  us. 

Our  captain  seeing  the  vessel  disabled,  desired  her  to 
bring  to ;  saying,  if  any  thing  was  wanted  o%board,  we 
should  hoist  out  our  boat  and  carry  it  thither;  but  this 
was  obstinately  refused ;  the  captain  declared,  that  our 
boat  should  not  approach,  and  unless  we  kept  further  off, 
he  would  fire  into  us.  This  induced  suspicion  on  our 
part,  wherefore  we  ran  up  with  the  vessel,  and  command- 
ed her  to  bring  to.  On  this  she  fired,  and  engaged  us 
from  eleven  in  the  morning  until  six  in  the  evening ;  then, 
being  much  damaged,  she  struck,  and  called  to  us  to  save 
the  lives  of  the  crew.  But  this  request  came  too  late, 
for  the  wind  increasing,  raised  a  great  sea,  which  forced 
our  ship  under  a  reefed  mam-sail,  whence  we  could  not 
hoist  out  our  boat,  without  endangering  our  own  lives. 
However,  by  means  of  a  light  which  she  carried,  we  kept 
close  to  her,  intending  to  hoist  the  boat  out  when  it  be- 
came practicable.  But  towards  midnight  her  light  be- 
came very  low ;  and  by  a  loud  cry,  which  was  heard 
about  one  o'clock,  wre  judged  that  she  foundered. 

When  the  vessel  struck  she  told  us  that  she  had  four- 
teen Frenchmen  on  board,  whence  we  conjectured  her  to 
be  an  English  Virginia-man  taken  by  the  French ;  and 
that  she  had  lost  her  main-mast  in  the  engagement.  We 
followed  her  chasing  and  fighting,  about  thirty  leagues; 
and  when  she  struck  we  were  in  45  50  north  latitude. 

Our  booty  being  thus  lost,  we  made  the  best  of  our 
way  to  Newfoundland,  being  bound  thither  on  a  fishing 


260  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS- 

voyage.  One  trouble,  however,  seldom  comes  alone,  and 
so  it  happened  to  us  ;  for  on  the  26th  of  March,  we  saw 
some  shattered  ice,  at  four  in  the  afternoon,  which  was 
supposed  to  be  the  harbor  ice  now  broken  up.  We  were 
now  in  46  50  north  latitude,  and  conceived  ourselves  fifty 
leagues,  though  it  afterwards  proved  seventy,  from  the 
land.  The  wind  being  at  east,  the  top-sails  were  handed ; 
and  we  stood  northward,  under  our  courses,  hoping  to 
get  clear  of  the  ice  before  night.  But  finding  rather 
more  than  less,  we  tacked  to  the  Southward,  which  was 
found  unproductive  of  any  change.  Therefore,  for  fur- 
ther security,  the  fore-sail  was  furled^nd  the  ship  brought 
to  under  the  mainsail,  as  night  approached,  and  as  there 
was  a  dead  wind,  so  that  we  could  lie  off  on  either  tack  ; 
we  trusted  if  we  should  fall  in  with  the  greater  ice,  to  meet 
with  the  less  shocks. 

About  eight  or  nine  o'clock,  we  discovered  a  field  of 
ice,  of  which  we  ran  foul,  notwithstanding  our  exertions 
to  keep  clear  of  it ;  and  although  we  hung  cables,  coils 
of  rope,  hoops  and  such  things,  over  the  ship  to  defend 
her,  she  struck  so  hard,  that  at  eleven  she  bilged,  whence 
we  had  much  difficulty  to  keep  her  afloat  till  day-light, 
by  two  pumps  going,  and  bailing  at  three  hatch-ways. 

At  the  approach  of  day,  OUT  men  were  much  fatigued, 
the  water  increased,  and  against  noon  the  hold  was  half 
full.  No  one  knew  what  to  advise  another,  and  all  be- 
gan to  despair  of  their  lives :  we  continued  pumping, 
though  to  little  purpose,  and  concluded,  that  if  now  were 
our  appointed  time,  we  must  submit  patiently  to  it. 

But  amidst  this  disaster,  it  pleased  God  to  put  it  into  / 
the  thoughts  of  some  us,  that  several  might  be  preserved 
in  the  boat,  upon  which  the  captain  was  entreated  to 
hoist  her  out,  and  commit  a  few  of  us  there. 

The  captain  answered,  that,  although  God  could  work 
wonders,  it  was  improbable  that  so  small  a  boat  should 
preserve  us;  that  it  was  but  living  a  few  days  longer  in 
misery ;  and,  seeing  God  had  cast  this  calamity  to  his  lot, 
h'^  was  resolved  to  take  his  chance,  and  die  with  his  men. 

Nevertheless,  being  much  importuned,  he  ordered  the 
boat  out,  and  William  Saunders  and  five  others  in  her; 


PRESERVATION  OF  NINE  MEN.  261 

and,  that  the  men  might  not  suspect  their  design  it  was 
given  out  that  the  boat  should  go  ahead  to  tow  the  ship 
clear  of  the  ice.  How  likely  that  was  the  reader  may 
judge,  there  being  but  one  oar,  all  the  rest  were  broken 
by  defending  the  ship  from  the  ice.  However,  the  pur- 
pose advanced. 

The  boat  being  out,  and  finding  no  effect  produced  in 
towing  the  ship,  fell  a-stern,  intending  to  take  in  the  cap- 
tain and  as  many  as  it  could  safely  carry,  while  some 
were  preparing  necessaries  for  a  miserable  voyage.  A 
compass,  and  other  things  ready,  were  conveyed  into  it. 

The  captain,  doctor  and  several  others,  having  got  out 
at  the  cabin  windows  and  galleries,  I,  amongst  the  rest, 
endeavored  to  escape  at  the  gallery,  intending  likewise, 
if  possible,  to  get  into  the  boat ;  but  being  discovered  by 
the  men,  they  took  small  arms,  and  kept  off  the  boat, 
resolving,  as  they  could  not  preserve  all,  that  the  whole 
should  perish  together. 

This  design  being  frustrated,  every  one,  except  myself 
and  William  Langmead,  got  into  the  ship  again ;  but  we 
were  so  low  that  we  could  not  recover  ourselves.  No 
person  coming  to  relieve  us,  we  were  at  length  forced  to 
let  go  our  hold,  and  trust  to  the  mercy  of  those  ,m  the 
boat,  who  seeing  us  swimming  towards  them,  hove  out  a 
rope  and  took  us  in. 

We  were  now  eight  in  number  in  the  boat ;  and,  wilHng 
to  save  our  captain,  lay  hovering  about  the  ship  till  night ; 
but  the  men  persisting  in  their  resolution,  fired  at  the 
boat  and  kept  her  off.  We  began  to  seek  shelter  as 
night  approached;  and,  having  gone  among  the  shat- 
tered ice,  made  our  boat  fast  to  a  small  lump,  and  drove 
with  it ;  and  as  we  came  foul  of  great  ice,  we  removed 
and  made  fast  to  another  piece,  and  so  continued  during 
the  remainder  of  the  night.  Looking  around  in  the 
morning,  the  ship  was  seen  about  three  leagues  to  the 
eastward  in  the  same  position  as  we  had  left  her,  where- 
on a  consultation  was  held,  whether  or  not  we  should 
return  and  make  another  attempt  to  save  the  captain, 
and  as  many  more  as  possible.  This  proposal,  however, 
was  negatived,  every  one  alleging  that  the  men  would 


262  REMARKABLE  SHIPWRECKS.  ' 

either  fire  on  us,  or  inconsiderately  crowd  into  the  boat 
and  sink  her ;  therefore  it  was  resolved  to  make  the  best 
of  our  way  to  the  shore.  But  I,  considering  how  little  it 
would  tend  to  my  honor  to  save  my  life,  and  see  my 
captain  perish,  endeavored  to  persude  them  that  the  ship 
still  swam  buoyant,  that  I  hoped  the  leak  was  stopped, 
,  and  that  we  might  proceed  on  our  voyage ;  but  this  was 
unavailing.  When  I  saw  myself  unable  to  prevail  thus, 
I  desired  them  to  row  up  and  set  me  on  that  part  of  the 
ice  next  the  ship,  whence  I  should  walk  to  her,  and  die 
with  my  commander. 

This  being  unanimously  agreed  to,  we  rowed  up  to  the 
ice ;  but  when  we  reached  it,  I  was  loth  to  get  out. 
However,  on  calling  the  captain  to  us,  Mr.  John  Maddick 
came  first,  and  after  him  the  doctor  and  some  others, 
which  the  captain  perceiving,  came  also. 

The  captain  having  left  the  ship,  the  multitude  crowd- 
ed so  eagerly  after  him  that  we  had  like  to  have  spoiled 
all ;  but  by  chance  the  boat  was  got  off,  and  twenty-one 
people  in  her  and  hanging  to  her  sides.  Some  were 
forced  to  slip ;  .others  perished  on  the  ice,  not  being  able 
to  return  to  the  ship,  where  the  rest  were  lost. 

On  the  25th  of  March,  we  took  a  miserable  farewell 
of  our  distressed  brethren,  the  heart  of  every  one  being 
so  overloaded  with  his  own  misery  as  to  have  little  room 
to  pity  another.  Next,  on  considering  what  course  to 
follow,  we  resolved  to  make  for  the  shore. 

Our  only  provision  was  a  small  barrel  of  flour,  and  a 
five  gallon  rundlet  of  brandy,  which  had  been  thrown 
overboard,  and  was  taken  up  by  us.  We  also  took  up 
an  old  chest,  which  stood  us  in  good  stead,  for  having 
but  one  oar,  and  our  ship's  handspikes,  and  a  hatchet 
being  by  chance  in  the  boat,  we  could  split  the  chest, 
and  nail  it  to  the  handspikes,  which  were  our  oars. 
Nails  we  had  only  by  drawing  them  from  different  parts 
of  the  boat ;  and  the  rest  of  the  chest  was  used  to  kindle 
a  fire.  It  also  happened  that  our  main  tarpauling,  which 
had  been  newly  tarred,  was  put  into  the  boat.  Of  it  we 
made  a  main-sail ;  and  of  an  old  piece  of  canvas,  that 
had  been  a  sail  to  a  yawl,  we  made  a  fore-sail.  In  this 


PRESERVATION  OF  NINE  MEN.  263 

condition  we  turned  towards  the  shore,  and  observing 
the  surrounding  ice  lie  north  and  south,  we  steered  north, 
and  in  the  morning  were  clear  of  it. 

Having  now  got  into  the  ocean,  and  the  wind  being 
still  easterly,  we  hoisted  our  sail,  and  steered  W.  N.  W. 
about  fourteen  leagues,  when  we  fell  in  with  another 
field  of  ice.  "  Attempting  to  sail  through  it,  we  were  en- 
closed by  many  great  islands,  which  drove  so  fast  toge- 
ther, that  we  were  forced  to  haul  up  our  boat  on  the  i«e, 
otherwise  we  should  have  perished. 

Here  we  lay  eleven  days  without  once  seeing  the  sea. 
As  the  ice  was  thick,  we  caught  as  many  seals  as  we 
chose,  for  they  were  in  great  abundance.  Our  fire- 
hearth  was  made  of  the  skin,  and  the  fat  melted  so 
easily,  that  we  could  boil  the  lean  with  it. 

But  by  lying  so  long  in  this  cold  region,  the  men  be- 
gan to  complain  of  their  feet ;  and  our  boat  being  too 
small  to  afford  room  for  all,  there  was  always  a  hideous 
cry  among  us  of  hurting  each  other,  though  for  this  there 
was  no  remedy.  We  kept  watch  six  and  six,  both  for 
the  convenience  of  room,  and  to  guard  against  the  ice 
breaking  under  our  boat,  which  often  happened,  and 
then  it  was  necessary  to  launch,  or  carry  her  to  a  place 
which  we  thought  strong  enough  to  bear  her  weight. 

In  eleven  days  we  saw  the  sea,  and,  with  great  diffi- 
culty, got  out  the  boat.  We  sailed  about  ten  or  twelve 
leagues  N.  N.  W.  as  before,  when  we  were  again  en- 
closed ;  and  this  was  repeated  five  several  times.  The  last 
ice,  however,  was  worse  than  any  before,  and  although 
it  was  so  thick  that  we  could  not  force  the  boat  through 
it,  yet  it  was  not  so  solid  as  to  bear  the  weight  of  a  man ; 
therefore,  notwithstanding  we  daily  saw  enough  seals, 
we  could  take  none  of  them. 

It  fortunately  happened,  that  when  we  parted  from 
the  hard  ice,  we  had  seven  seals  in  store,  and  one  that 
we  took  dead,  which  was  consumed  without  consulting 
how  it  had  died. 

We  were  next  reduced  to  short  allowance,  having  only 
one  among  us  to  serve  two  days,  which,  with  about 
three  ounces  of  flour,  mixed  with  water,  and  boiled  in 


264  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

the  fat  of  the  seal,  was  all  our  provision.  At  length  we 
were  obliged  to  share  both  feet  and  skin,  each  of  us  al- 
lowing a  little  fat  to  make  a  fire.  But  being  constrained 
to  eat  the  whole,  skin  and  bone  also,  scarcely  boiled,  in- 
jured our  stomachs  so  much,  that  some  of  our  number 
died,  and  I  myself  suffered  severely. 

On  getting  clear  of  the  loose  ice,  if  the  w^nd  was  so 
adverse  as  to  prevent  our  rowing,  we  made  fast  the  boat 
to  an  island  of  ice  until  better  weather.  Although  this 
sheltered  us,  we  were  often  in  gteat  danger,  from  the 
islands  driving  foul  of  us,  so  that  it  was  wonderful  we 
escaped. 

We  drank  the  ice  mixed  with  brandy ;  and  our  pro- 
visions, with  good  management,  lasted  until  OUT  coming 
ashore,  for  it  pleased  God  to  save  some  of  us  by  taking 
others  to  himself.  Our  companions  began  to  die  two  or 
three  in  a  day,  until  we  were  at  last  reduced  to  nine. 

The  feet  of  several  who  died  were  bit  in  such  a  man- 
ner by  the  frost,  that,  on  stripping  them,  which  was 
done  to  give  the  clothes  to  the  survivors,  their  toes  came 
away  with  the  stockings.  The  last  who  died  was  the 
boatswain,  who  lived  until  the  day  before  we  saw  land. 

Our  compass  was  broken  by  the  last  field  of  ice  through 
which  we  passed,  and  soon  after  we  lost  our  water- 
bucket,  which  was  used  for  bailing.  Our  course  was 
directed  by  the  sun  in  the  day-time,  and  the  stars  by 
night. 

Though  many  other  accidents  befel  us,  it  pleased  the 
Lord  to  bring  us  safe  to  land,  after  passing  twenty-eight 
days  in  the  boat. 

On  the  24th  of  April,  we  arrived  at  Baccalew.  and 
thence  repaired  to  the  bay  of  Verds,  in  Newfoundland, 
where  we  found  three  men  providing  for  a  fishing  voy- 
age, who  carried  us  to  their  house,  and  gave  us  such 
things  as  they  had.  But  they  being  indifferently  stored, 
and  unable  to  maintain  us,  we  determined  to  go  to  St. 
John's,  notwithstanding  some  of  us  were  so  much  frost- 
bit, as  to  be  obliged  to  be  carried  to  the  boat  Before 
getting  to  cape  St.  Francis,  however,  the  wind  veered  to 
the  southwest,  which  compelled  us  to  row  all  night.  In 


LOSS  OP  THE  .ENEAS  TRANSPORT.  265 

the  morning  we  reached  Portugal  Cove,  where  to  our 
unspeakable  joy,  some  men  were  found  preparing  for  the 
summer's  fishing.  They  showed  us  so  much  compas- 
sion as  to  launch  a  boat,  and  tow  us  over  to  Belleisle, 
and  there  we  were  courteously  received.  All  were  so 
weak  that  we  were  carried  ashore  on  men's  shoulders  ; 
and  we  were  besides  so  disfigured  with  hunger,  cold, 
and  the  oil  of  seals,  that  people  could  hardly  recognise 
us  as  men,  except  for  the  shape.  At  Belleisle  we  re- 
mained ten  days,  when,  being  somewhat  recruited,  we 
went  to  St.  John's.  Thus,  in  all  this  extremity,  God 
miraculously  preserved  nine  out  of  ninety-six  that  were 
in  the  ship. 


LOSS  OF  THE  JSNEAS  TRANSPORT. 

THE  J3neas  transport  sailed  with  three  hundred  and 
forty-seven  souls  on  board,  including  a  party  of  men  be- 
longing to  the  100th  regiment  of  foot,  as  also  some  offi- 
cers, together  with  several  women  and  children.  About 
four  in  the  morning  of  the  23d  of  October,  1805,  the  ves- 
sel struck  violently  on  a  rock,  and  received  such  damage 
that  her  total  wreck  soon  became  evident  to  all  on  board. 
For  the  first  few  minutes  after  this  alarming  occurrence, 
the  women  and  children  clung  to  their  husbands  and  fa- 
thers ;  but  in  a  short  time,  a  prodigious  wave  swept  not 
less  than  two  hundred  and  fifty  of  those  miserable  peo- 
ple into  the  ocean.  The  rock  whereon  the  vessel  had 
struck,  speedily  forced  its  way  through  the  decks,  and 
then  it  appears,  from  her  parting,  thirty-five  of  the  sur- 
vivors were  driven  on  a  small  island  before  eight  in  the 
morning,  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  distant,  but  when 
she  had  entirely  gone  to  pieces. 

The  narrative  of  these  events  was  collected  from  one 
of  the  survivors,  a  soldier  of  the  100th  regiment,  who 
could  give  no  correct  account  of  how  he  and  the  others 
got  ashore,  but  he  supposed  they  were  floated  in  by  part 
of  the  wreck.-  He  remembered  to  have  observed  one  of 
23 


266  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

the  boys  endeavoring  to  save  major  Bertram,  whose  arm 
was  broken  by  some  timber,  and  he  was  on  the  point  of 
sinking ;  he  held  him  up  as  long  as  his  strength  per- 
mitted ;  but  to  save  his  own  life,  was  forced  to  let  go 
his  hold,  and  the  major  perished. 

The  thirty-five  men  who  gained  the  shore,  consisted 
of  part  of  the  regiment,  two  of  whom  were  officers,  lieu- 
tenant Dawson  and  ensign  Faulkner,  and  seven  sailors. 
Immediately  on  landing,  the  wind  unfortunately  chang- 
ed, so  that  not  an  article  of  any  kind  was  saved  from 
the  wreck.  Mr.  Faulkner  was  aware  of  the  real  situa- 
tion they  had  reached,  judging  the  main-land,  which 
they  saw  about  a  mile  distant,  to  be  Newfoundland,  and 
that  they  were  about  three  hundred  miles  distant  from 
the  town  of  St.  John's. 

After  passing  one  night  on  the  little  island,  they  con- 
structed a  raft,  by  means  of  which,  thirty  of  them  arriv- 
ed on  the  main-land.  Previous  to  this,  however,  four 
survivors  of  the  shipwreck  had  died,  among  whom  was 
the  poor  fellow  who  had  endeavored  to  save  major  Ber- 
tram. Another,  who  had  both  his  legs  broken,  was  miss- 
ing, as  he  had  crawled  away  from  his  comrades,  that  he 
might  die  in  quiet.  But,  eight  days  afterwards,  he  was 
found  alive,  though  in  a  shocking  state,  as  his  feet  were 
frozen  off.  Yet  he  survived  all  this,  and  reached  Que- 
bec at  a  future  period.  Most  of  the  party  set  out,  leav- 
ing three  behind  them,  who  were  unable  to  walk  from 
bruises,  and  directed  their  course  towards  the  rising 
sun;  but  when  the  first  day  had  elapsed,  lieutenant 
Dawson  became  incapable  of  keeping  up  with  the  re- 
mainder ;  and  two  soldiers  staid  to  attend  him.  These 
three  toiled  onwards  without  any  food,  except  the  ber- 
ries which  they  found ;  and  lieutenant  Dawson  was 
then  unable  to  stand,  unless  supported.  On  reaching  the 
banks  of  a  river,  one  of  the  soldiers  attempted  to  carry 
him  across  on  his  back  ;  but  having  waded  up  to  the 
neck,  he  was  obliged  to  return,  and  lay  him  down  on 
the  bank.  There  Mr.  Dawson  entreated  his  faithful  at- 
tendants to  make  the  best  of  their  way,  and  leave  him  to 
his  fate ;  and  at  the  same  time,  affectionately  squeezing 


LOSS  OF  THE  JENEAS  TRANSPORT.  267 

their  hands,  he  entreated  them  to  inform  his  father  of 
his  melancholy  end.  Here  the  soldier,  who  was  one  of 
them,  and  who  related  these  affecting  incidents,  burst 
into  a  flood  of  tears  before  he  could  proceed.  "  We  staid 
with  him,"  said  he,  "  until  we  did  not  know  whether 
he  was  alive  or  dead." 

The  two  survivors  continued  wandering  in  a  weak 
and  feeble  state  for  twelve  days  longer,  making  twenty- 
six  in  all  from  the  period  of  their  shipwreck,  and  sub- 
sisting on  what  they  could  find  on  a  barren  and  inhos- 
pitable land.  But  after  the  first  four  or  five  days,  they 
suffered  no  hunger,  for,  as  they  themselves  said,  their 
misfortunes  were  so  great  as  to  banish  its  influence,  and 
to  deprive  them  of  the  sense  of  feeling.  The  snow  be- 
sides was  so  deep  during  the  last  two  days,  as  to  pre- 
vent them  from  getting  the  berries  as  usuaL 

At  last  they  were  found  by  a  man  belonging  to  a  hunt- 
ing party,  who,  little  suspecting  to  see  human  beings  in 
that  desolate  region,  took  them,  at  a  distance,  for  deer, 
and  had  concealed  himself  behind  a  fallen  tree,  with  his 
gun  pointed  towards  one  of  them,  when  his  dog,  leaping 
towards  them,  began  to  bark,  and  showed  his  error. 
When  they  related  their  shipwreck,  and  the  sufferings 
they  had  endured,  tears  stole  down  the  cheeks  of  the 
huntsman,  and,  taking  the  moccasins  from  his  feet,  gave 
them  to  the  poor  miserable  creatures.  He  invited  them 
to  his  hunting-cabin,  saying  it  was  only  a  mile  off,  though 
the  real  distance  was  at  least  twelve  miles  ;  but,  by  de- 
grees, he  enticed  them  to  proceed,  and  at  length  they 
gained  it.  On  approaching  the  hut,  four  or  five  men. 
came  out  with  long,  bloody  knives  in  their  hands,  when 
the  narrator,  turning  to  his  comrade,  exclaimed,  "  After 
all  we  have  escaped,  are  we  brought  here  to  be  butcher- 
ed and  ate  up  ?"  But  they  soon  discovered  tbair  mistake, 
for  the  men  had  been  cutting  up  some  deer,  the  fruit  of 
their  chase ,  and  the  appearance  of  the  unfortunate  sol- 
diers quickly  excited  sentiments  of  pity  in  their  breast, 
they  produced  a  bottle  of  rum  wherewith  they  were  re- 
freshed. 

Every  possible  comfort  was  ministered  by  the  hunters 


268  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 

to  the  unfortunate  wanderers,  and,  from  the  accounts 
and  description  given  to  them,  they  set  out  in  quest  of 
the  others.  They  luckily  succeeded  in  finding  the  man 
who  remained  the  first  day  on  the  island,  and  also  the 
other  two  who  were  unable  to  leave  the  shore. 

Those  two  men  who  had  accompanied  lieutenant 
Dawson,  appeared  to  have  made  but  little  progress  dur- 
ing twenty-six  days  of  travelling,  for  they  were  disco- 
vered in  a  place  not  very  remote  from  whence  they  set 
out.  Thus,  involved  among  the  woods,  they  must  have 
returned  over  the  same  ground  that  they  had  passed. 

Those  whom  the  huntsman  first  met  endeavored  to 
make  them  understand  where  they  might  find  the  re- 
mains  of  lieutenant  Dawson,  and  ensign  Faulkner,  and 
his  party,  but  they  could  speak  too  vaguely  of  where 
they  had  themselves  been,  to  give  any  pointed  directions 
on  the  subject.  But  two  of  the  latter  were  found  by  a 
man  on  another  hunting  excursion,  about  ninety  miles 
distant,  apparently  lifeless ;  though  on  being  carried  to 
an  adjacent  settlement  they  recovered.  Of  the  whole 
thirty-five  who  survived  the  wreck  of  the  transport,  ac- 
counts could  be  heard  only  of  these  five. 

Ensign  Faulkner  was  a  strong,  active,  enterprising 
man.  and  fully  capable  of  adopting  whatever  means 
could  be  devised  for  preservation.  Both  he  and  lieuten- 
ant Dawson,  who  was  scarce  more -than  seventeen  years 
of  age,  were  of  the  greatest  promise.  While  the  trans- 
port lay  about  three  miles  from  Portsmouth,  they  are 
said  to  have  swum  to  the  ship,  when  the  former  climbed 
up  her  side,  but  the  latter  was  nearly  exhausted. 

A  brig  from  Port,  which  touched  at  Newfoundland, 
carried  five  of  the  survivors  from  thence  to  Quebec ;  and 
when  they  arrived  there  in  the  barrack-square,  a  most 
affecting  scene  ensued.  Men  and  women  eagerly  flock- 
ed around  them,  with  anxious  inquiries  for  some  friend 
or  brother  who  was  on  board  the  ill-fated  vessel.  But 
all  they  could  answer  was,  "  If  you  do  not  see  him  here, 
be  assured  he  has  perished ;  for,  of  three  hundred  and 
forty-seven  souls,  we  five  Irish  lads  and  two  sailors 
are  all  that  remain  alive."  The  tears  and  exclamations 
following  these  words  can  scarce  be  described. 


LOSS  OF  THE  NAUTILUS  SLOOP  OF   WAR, 
On  a  rock  in  the  Archipelago. 

A  MISUNDERSTANDING  having  originated  between  the 
court  of  Great  Britain  and  the  Ottoman  Porte,  a  power- 
ful squadron  was  ordered  to  proceed  to  Constantinople, 
for  the  purpose  of  enforcing  compliance  with  rational 
propositions.  The  object,  however,  proved  abortive; 
and  the  expedition  terminated  in  a  way  which  did  not 
enhance  the  reputation  of  these  islands  in  the  eyes  of  the 
Turks. 

Sir  Thomas  Louis,  commander  of  the  squadron  sent  to 
Dardanelles,  having  charged  captain  Palmer  with  des- 
patches of  the  utmost  importance  for  England,  the  Nauti- 
lus got  under  weigh  at  daylight  on  the  third  of  January, 
1807.  A  fresh  breeze  from  north-east  carried  her  rapidly 
out  of  the  Hellespont,  passing  the  celebrated  castles  in 
the  Dardanelles,  which  severely  galled  the  British. 
Soon  afterwards  she  passed  the  island  of  Tenedos,  off 
the  north  end  of  which,  two  vessels  of  war  were  seen  at 
anchor ;  they  hoisted  Turkish  colors,  and  in  return  the 
Nautilus  showed  those  of  Britain.  In  the  course  of  this 
day,  many  of  the  other  islands  abounding  in  the  Greek 
Archipelago  carne  in  sight,  and  in  the  evening,  the  ship 
approached  the  island  of  Negropont,  lying  in  38  30  north 
latitude,  and  24  8  east  longitude ;  but  now  the  naviga- 
tion became  more  intricate,  from  the  increasing  number 
of  islands,  and  from  the  narrow  entrance  between  Ne- 
gropont and  the  island  of  Andros. 

The  wind  still  continued  to  blow  fresh,  and  as  night 
was  approaching,  with  the  appearance  of  being  dark 
and  squally,  the  pilot,  who  was  a  Greek,  wished  to  lie 
to  ifntil  morning,  which  was  done  accordingly  ;  and  at 
daylight  the  vessel  again  proceeded.  His  course  was 
shaped  for  the  island  Falconera,  in  a  track  which  has 
23* 


270  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

been  so  elegantly  described  by  Falconer,  in  a  poem  as 
far  surpassing  the  uncouth  productions  of  modern  times, 
as  the  Ionian  temples  surpassed  those  flimsy  structures 
contributed  to  render  the  fame  of  the  originals  eternal. 
This  island,  and  that  of  And  Milo,  were  made  in  the 
evening,  the  latter  distant  fourteen  or  sixteen  miles  from 
the  more  extensive  island  of  Milo,  which  could  not  then 
be  seen,  from  the  thickness  and  haziness  of  the  weather. 

The  pilot  never  having  been  beyond  the  present  posi- 
tion of  the  Nautilus,  and  declaring  his  ignorance  of  the 
further  bearings,  now  relinquished  his  charge,  which 
was  resumed  by  the  captain.  All  possible  attention  was 
paid  to  the  navigation  ;  and  captain  Palmer,  after  seeing 
Falconera  so  plainly,  and  anxious  to  fulfil  his  mission 
with  the  greatest  expedition,  resolved  to  stand  on  during 
the  night.  He  was  confident  of  clearing  the  Archipelago 
by  morning,  and  himself  pricked  the  course  from  the 
chart  which  was  to  be  steered  by  the  vessel.  This  he 
pointed  out  to  his  coxswain,  George  Smith,  of  whose 
ability  he  entertained  a  high  opinion.  Then  he  ordered 
his  bed  to  be  prepared,  not  having  had  his  clothes  off  for 
the  three  preceding  nights,  and  having  scarce  had  any 
sleep  from  the  time  of  leaving  the  Dardanelles. 

A  night  of  extreme  darkness  followed,  with  vivid 
lightning  constantly  flashing  in  the  horizon ;  but  this 
circumstance  served  to  inspire  the  captain  with  a  greater 
degree  of  confidence ;  for  being  enabled  by  it  to  see  so 
much  farther  at  intervals,  he  thought,  that  should  the 
ship  approach  any  land,  the  danger  would  be  discovered 
in  sufficient  time  to  be  avoided. 

The  wind  continued  still  increasing ;  and  though  the 
ship  carried  but  little  sail,  she  went  at  the  rate  of  nine' 
miles  an  hour,  being  assisted  by  a  lofty  following  sea, 
which  with  the  brightness  of  the  lightning,  made  the 
night  particularly  awful.  At  half  past  two  in  the  morn- 
ing, high  land  was  distinguished,  which  those  who  saw 
it  supposed  to  be  the  island  of  Cerigotto,  and  thence 
thought  all  safe,  and  that  every  danger  had  been  left  be- 
hind. The  ship's  course  was  altered  to  pass  the  island, 
and  she  continued  on  her  course  until  half  past  four,  at 


LOSS  OF  THE  NAUTILUS  SLOOP  OF  WAR.        271 

the  changing  of  the  watch,  when  the  man  on  the  look- 
out exclaimed,  "breakers  ahead  !"  and  immediately  the 
vessel  struck  with  a  most  tremendous  crash.  Such  was 
the  violence  of  the  shock,  that  people  were  thrown  from 
their  beds,  and,  on  coming  upon  deck,  were  obliged  to 
cling  to  the  cordage.  All  was  now  confusion  and 
alarm  ;  the  crew  hurried  on  deck,  which  they  had  scarce 
time  to  do  when  the  ladders  below  gave  way,  and  in- 
deed left  many  persons  struggling  in  the  water,  which 
already  rushed  into  the  under  part  of  the  ship.  The 
captain  it  appeared  had  not  gone  to  bed,  and  immedi- 
ately came  on  deck  when  the  Nautilus  struck ;  there 
having  examined  her  situation,  he  immediately  went 
round,  accompanied  by  his  second  lieutenant,  Mr.  Nes- 
bit.  and  endeavored  to  quiet  the  apprehensions  of  the 
people.  He  then  returned  to  his  cabin,  and  burnt  his 
papers  and  private  signals.  Meantime  every  sea  lifted 
up  the  ship,  and  then  dashed  her  with  irresistible  force 
on  the  rocks  ;  and  in  a  short  time,  the  crew  were  obliged 
to  resort  to  the  rigging,  where  they  remained  an  hour, 
exposed  to  the  surges  incessantly  breaking  over  them. 
There  they  broke  out  into  the  most  lamentable  exclama- 
tions, for  their  parents,  children,  and  kindred,  and  the 
distresses  they  themselves  endured.  The  weather  was 
so  dark  and  hazy,  that  the  rocks  coald  be  seen  only  at  a 
very  small  distance,  and  in  two  minutes  afterwards  the 
ship  had  struck. 

At  this  time  the  lightning  had  ceased,  but  the  dark- 
ness of  the  night  was  such,  that  the  people  could  not 
see  the  length  of  the  ship  from  them ;  their  only  hope 
rested  in  the  falling  of  the  main-mast,  which  they  trust- 
ed would  reach  a  small  rock,  which  was  discovered 
very  near  them.  Accordingly,  about  half  an  hour  be- 
fore daybreak,  the  main-mast  gave  way,  providentially 
falling  towards  the  rock,  and  by  means  of  it  they  were 
enabled  to  gain  the  land. 

The  struggles  and  confusion  to  which  this  incident 
gave  birth,  can  better  be  conceived  than  described ;  some 
of  the  crew  were  drowned,  one  man  had  his  arm  br6ke, 
and  many  were  cruelly  lacerated ;  but  captain  Palmer 


272  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 

refused  to  quit  his  station,  while  any  individual  remain- 
ed on  board  ;  and  not  until  the  whole  of  his  people  had 
gained  the  rock,  did  he  endeavor  to  save  himself.  At 
that  time,  in  consequence  of  remaining  by  the  wreck,  he 
had  received  considerable  personal  injury,  and  must  in- 
fallibly have  perished,  had  not  some  of  the  seamen  ven- 
tured through  a  tremendous  sea  to  his  assistance.  The 
boats  were  staved  in  pieces ;  several  of  the  people  en- 
deavored to  haul  in  the  jolly-boat,  which  they  were  in- 
capable of  accomplishing. 

The  hull  of  the  vessel  being  interposed,  sheltered  the 
shipwrecked  crew  a  long  time  from  the  beating  of  the 
surf;  but  as  she  broke  up,  their  situation  became  more 
perilous  every  moment,  and  they  soon  found  that  they 
should  be  obliged  to  abandon  the  small  portion  of  the 
rock,  which  they  had  reached,  and  wade  to  another,  ap- 
parently somewhat  larger.  The  first  lieutenant,  by 
watching  the  breaking  of  the  seas,  had  got  safely  thither, 
and  it  was  resolved  by  the  rest  to  follow  his  example. 
Scarce  was  this  resolution  formed,  and  attempted  to  be 
put  into  execution,  when  the  people  encountered  an  im- 
mense quantity  of  loose  spars,  which  were  immediately 
washed  into  the  channel  which  they  had  to  pass ;  but 
necessity  would  admit  of  no  alternative.  Many  in  cross- 
ing between  the  two  rocks  were  severely  wounded;  and 
they  suffered  more  in  this  undertaking  than  in  gaining 
the  first  rock  from  the  ship.  The  loss  of  their  shoes  was 
now  felt  in  particular,  for  the  sharp  rocks  tore  their  feet 
in  a  dreadful  manner,  and  the  legs  of  some  were  covered 
with  blood. 

Daylight  beginning  to  a'ppear,  disclosed  the  horrors  by 
which  those  unfortunate  men  were  surrounded.  The 
sea  was  covered  with  the  wreck  of  their  ill  fated  ship; 
many  of  their  unhappy  comrades  were  seen  floating 
away  on  spars  and  timbers ;  and  the  dead  and  dying 
were  mingled  together  without  a  possibility  of  the  sur- 
vivors affording  assistance  to  any  that  might  still  be  res- 
cued. Two  short  hours  had  been  productive  of  all 
this  misery,  the  ship  destroyed  and  her  crew  reduced 
to  a  situation  of  despair.  Their  wild  arid  affrighted 


LOSS    OF    THE   NAUTILUS    SLOOP   OF   WAB.  273 

looks  indicated  the  sensations  by  which  they  were  agi- 
tated ;  but  on  being  recalled  to  a  sense  of  their  real  con- 
dition, they  saw  that  they  had  nothing  left  but  resigna- 
tion to  the  will  of  Heaven. 

The  shipwrecked  mariners  now  discovered  that  they 
were  cast  away  on  a  coral-rock  almost  level  with  the 
water,  about  three  or  four  hundred  yards  long,  and  two 
hundred  broad.  They  were  at  least  twelve  miles  from 
the  nearest  islands,  which  were  afterwards  found  to  be 
those  of  Cerigotto  and  Pera,  on  the  north  end  of  Candia, 
about  thirty  miles  distant.  At  this  time  it  was  reported 
that  a  small  boat,  wilh  several  men,  had  escaped ;  and 
although  the  fact  was  true,  the  uncertainty  of  her  fate 
induced  those  on  the  rock  to  confide  in  being  relieved  by 
any  vessel  accidentally  passing  in  sight  of  a  signal  of  dis- 
tress they  had  hoisted  on  a  long  pole;  the  neighboring 
inlands  being  too  distant. 

The  weather  had  been  extremely  cold,  and  the  day 
preceding  the  shipwreck,  ice  had  lain  on  the  deck  ;  now, 
to  resist  its  inclemency,  a  fire  was  made,  by  means  of  a 
knife  and  a  flint  preserved  in  the  pocket  of  one  of  the 
sailors ;  and  with  much  difficulty,  some  damp  powder, 
from  a  small  barrel  washed  on  shore,  was  kindled.  A 
kind  of  tent  was  next  made,  with  pieces  of  old  canvass, 
boards,  and  such  things  as  could  be  got  about  the  wreck, 
and  the  people  were  thus  enabled  to  dry  the  few  clothes 
they  had  saved.  But  they  passed  a  long  and  comfort- 
less night,  though  partly  consoled  with  the  hope  of  their 
fire  being  descried  in  the  dark,  and  taken  for  a  signal  of 
distress.  Nor  was  this  hope  altogether  disappointed. 

When  the  ship  first  struck,  a  small  whale-boat  was 
hanging  over  the  quarter,  into  which,  an  officer,  George 
Smith,  the  coxswain,  and  nine  men,  immediately  got, 
and  lowering  themselves  into  the  water,  happily  escap- 
ed. After  rowing  three  or  four  leagues  against  a  very 
high  sea,  and  the  wind  blowing  hard,  they  reached  the 
small  island  of  Pera.  This  proved  to  be  scarce  a  mile 
in  circuit,  and  containing  nothing  but  a  few  sheep  and 
goats,  belonging  to  the  inhabitants  of  Cerigo,  who  come 
in  thp  summer  months  to  carry  away  their  young. 


274  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

They  could  find  no  fresh  water,  except  a  small  residue 
from  rain  in  the  hole  of  a  rock,  and  that  was  barely  suf- 
ficient though  most  sparingly  used.  During  the  night, 
having  observed  the  fire  above-mentioned,  the  party  be- 
gan to  conjecture  that  some  of  their  shipmates  mkht 
have  been  saved,  for  until  then,  they  had  deemed  their 
destruction  inevitable.  The  coxswain,  impressed  with 
this  opinion,  proposed  again  hazarding  themselves  in  the 
boat  for  their  relief,  and,  although  some  feeble  objections 
were  offered  against  it,  he  continued  resolute  to  his  pur- 
pose, and  persuaded  four  others  to  accompany  him. 

About  nine  in  the  morning  of  Tuesday,  the  second 
day  of  the  shipwreck,  the  approach  in  the  little  whale- 
boat  was  descried  by  those  on  the  rock ;  all  uttered  an 
exclamation  of  joy,  and  in  return,  the  surprise  of  the  cox- 
swain and  his  crew  to  find  so  many  of  their  shipmates 
still  surviving  is  not  to  be  described.  But  the  surf  ran 
so  high  as  to  endanger  the  safety  of  the  boat,  and  seve- 
ral of  the  people  imprudently  endeavored  to  get  into 
it.  The  coxswain  tried  to  persuade  captain  Palmer  to 
come  to  him,  but  he  steadily  refused,  saying,  "No, 
Smith,  save  your  unfortunate  shipmates,  never  mind 
me."  After  some  little  consultation,  he  desired  him  to 
take  the  Greek  pilot  on  board,  and  make  the  best  of  his 
way  to  Cerigotto,  where  the  pilot  said  there  were  some 
families  of  fishermen,  who  doubtless  would  relieve  their 
necessities. 

But  it  appeared  as  if  Heaven  had  ordained  the  des- 
truction of  this  unfortunate  crew,  for,  soon  after  the  boat 
departed,  the  wind  began  to  increase,  and  dark  clouds 
gathering  around,  excited  among  those  remaining  be- 
hind, all  their  apprehensions  for  a  frightful  storm.  In 
about  two  hours  it  commenced  with  the  greatest  fury ; 
the  waves  rose  considerably,  and  soon  destroyed  the 
fire.  They  nearly  covered  the  rock,  and  compelled  the 
men  to  fly  to  the  highest  part  for  refuge,  which  was  the 
only  one  that  could  afford  any  shelter.  There,  nearly 
ninety  people  passed  a  night  of  the  greatest  horror  ;  and 
the  only  means  of  preventing  themselves  from  being 
swept  away  by  the  surf,  which  every  moment  broke 


LOSS    OF   THE   NAUTILUS    SLOOP   OF   WAR.  275 

over  them,  was  by  a  small  rope  fastened  round  the  sum- 
mit of  the  rock,  and  with  difficulty  holding  on  by  each 
other. 

The  fatigues  which  the  people  had  previously  under- 
gone, added  to  what  they  now  endured,  proved  too  over- 
powering to  many  of  their  number  ;  several  became  de- 
lirious ;  their  strength  was  exhausted,  and  they  could 
hold  on  no  longer.  Their  afflictions  were  still  further 
aggravated  by  an  apprehension  that  the  wind,  veering 
more  to  the  north,  would  raise  the  sea  to  their  present 
situation,  in  which  case  a  single  wave  would  have 
swept  them  all  into  oblivion. 

The  hardships  which  the  crew  had  already  suffered 
were  sufficient  to  terminate  existence,  and  many  had 
met  with  deplorable  accidents.  One  in  particular,  while 
crossing  the  channel  between  the  rocks  at  an  unsuita- 
ble time,  was  dashed  against  them  so  as  to  be  nearly 
scalped,  and  exhibited  a  dreadful  spectacle  to  his  crm- 
panions.  He  lingered  out  the  night,  and  next  morning, 
expired.  The  more  fortunate  survivors  were  but  ill  pre- 
pared to  meet  the  terrible  effects  of  famine  ;  their 
strength  enfeebled,  their  bodies  unsheltered,  and  aban- 
doned by  hope.  Nor  were  they  less  alarmed  for  the  fate 
of  their  boat.  The  storm  came  on  before  she  could  have 
reached  the  intended  island,  and  on  her  safety,  their  own 
depended.  But  the  scene  which  daylight  presented  was 
still  more  deplorable.  The  survivors  beheld  the  corpses 
of  their  departed  shipmates,  and  some  still  in  the  ago- 
nies of  death.  They  were  themselves  altogether  ex- 
hausted, from  the  sea's  all  night  breaking  over  them,  and 
the  inclemency  of  the  weather,  which  was  such,  that 
many,  among  whom  was  the  carpenter,  perished  from 
excessive  cold. 

But  this  unfortunate  crew  had  now  to  suffer  a  morti- 
fication, and  to  witness  an  instance  of  inhumanity,  which 
leaves  an  eternal  stain  of  infamy  on  those  who  merit 
the  reproach.  Soon  after  day  broke,  they  observed  a 
vessel  with  all  sail  set,  coming  down  before  the  wind, 
steering  directly  for  the  rock.  They  made  every  possi- 
ble signal  of  distress  which  their  feeble  condition  ad- 


276  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

mitted,  nor  without  effect,  for  they  were  at  last  seen  by 
the  vessel,  which  bore  to  and  hoisted  out  her  boat.  The 
joy  which  this  occasioned  may  be  easily  conceived,  for 
nothing  short  of  immediate  relief  was  anticipated ;  and 
they  hastily  made  preparations  for  rafts  to  carry  them 
through  the  surf,  confident  that  the  boat  was  pcavided 
with  whatever  might  administer  to  their  necessities. 
Approaching  still  nearer,  she  came  within  pistol-shot, 
full  of  men  dressed  in  the  European  fashion,  who  after 
having  gazed  at  them  a  few  minutes,  the  person  who 
steered,  waved  his  hat  to  them  and  then  rowed  off  to  his 
ship.  The  pain  of  the  shipwrecked  people  at  this  bar- 
barous proceeding  was  acute,  and  heightened  even  more, 
by  beholding  the  stranger  vessel  employed  the  whole 
day  in  taking  up  the  floating  remains  of  that  less  fortu- 
nate one  which  had  so  lately  borne  them. 

Perhaps  the  abandoned  wretches  guilty  of  so  unfeeling 
an  act  may  one  day  be  disclosed,  and  it  would  surely 
excite  little  compassion  to  learn  that  they  suffered 
that  retribution  which  such  inhuman  conduct  me- 
rits. That  people  dressed  in  the  habit  of  Englishmen, 
though  belonging  to  a  different  nation,  could  take  ad- 
vantage of  misery  instead  of  relieving  it,  will  scarce 
seem  creditable  at  the  present  day,  were  not  some  in- 
stances of  a  similar  nature  related  elsewhere  than  in 
these  volumes. 

After  this  cruel  disappointment,  and  bestowing  an 
anathema  which  the  barbarity  of  the  strangers  deserved, 
the  thoughts  of  the  people  were,  during  the  remainder  of 
the  day,  directed  towards  the  return  of  the  boat ;  and 
being  disappointed  there  also,  their  dread  that  she  had 
been  lost  was  only  further  confirmed.  They  began  to 
yield  to  despondency,  and  had  the  gloomy  prospect  of 
certain  death  before  them.  Thirst  then  became  intolera- 
ble ;  and  in  spite  of  being  warned  against  it  by  instances 
of  the  terrific  effects  ensuing,  some  in  desperation  re- 
sorted to  salt  water.  Their  companions  had  soon  the 
grief  of  learning  what  they  would  experience  by  follow- 
ing their  example ;  in  a  few  hours,  raging  madness  fol- 
lowed, and  nature  could  struggle  no  longer. 


LOSS  OF  THE  NAUTILUS  SLOOP  OF  WAR.  277 

Another  awful  night  was  to  be  passed,  yet  the  wea- 
ther being  considerably  more  moderate,  the  sufferers  en- 
tertained hopes  that  it  would  be  less  disastrous  than  the 
one  preceding ;  and  to  preserve  themselves  from  the 
cold,  they  crowded  close  together  and  covered  themselves 
with  their  few  remaining  rags.  But  the  ravings  of  their 
comrades  who  had  drank  salt  water,  were  truly  horrible ; 
all  endeavors  to  quiet  them,  were  ineffectual,  and  the 
power  of  sleep  lost  its  influence.  In  the  middle  of  the 
night  they  were  unexpectedly  hailed  by  the  crew  of  the 
whale-boat;  but  the  only  object  of  the  people  on  the 
rock  was  water ;  they  cried  out  to  their  shipmates  for  it, 
though  in  vain.  Earthern  vessels  only  could  have  been 
procured,  and  these  would  not  bear  being  conveyed 
through  the  surf.  The  coxswain  then  said  they  should 
be  taken  off  the  rock  by  a  fishing-vessel  in  the  morning, 
and  with  this  assurance  they  were  forced  to  be  content. 
It  was  some  consolation  to  know  that  the  boat  was  safe, 
and  that  relief  had  so  far  been  obtained. 

All  the  people  anxiously  expected  morning,  and,  for 
the  first  time  since  being  on  the  rock,  the  sun  cheered 
them  with  its  rays.  Still  the  fourth  morning  came  and 
no  tidings  either  of  the  boat  or  vessel.  The  anxiety  of 
the  people  increased,  for  inevitable  death  from  famine, 
was  staring  them  in  the  face.  What  were  they  to  do 
for  self-preservation  ?  The  misery  and  hunger  which 
they  endured,  were  extreme ;  they  were  not  ignorant  of 
the  means  whereby  other  unfortunate  mariners  in  the 
like  situation  had  protracted  life,  yet  they  viewed  them 
with  disgust.  Still  when  they  had  no  alternative,  they 
considered  their  urgent  necessities  and  found  them  af- 
fording some  excuse.  Offering  prayers  to  Heaven  for 
forgiveness  of  the  sinful  act,  they  selected  a  young  man 
who  had  died  the  preceding  night,  and  ventured  to  ap- 
pease their  hunger  with  human  flesh.  , 

Whether  the  people  were  relieved  is  uncertain ;  for  to- 
wards evening,  death  had  made  hasty  strides  among 
them,  and  many  brave  men  drooped  under  their  hard- 
ships. Among  these  were  the  captain  and  first  lieuten- 
ant, two  meritorious  officers ;  and  the  sullen  silence  now 
24 


278  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

preserved  by  the  survivors,  showed  the  state  of  their  in- 
ternal'feelings.  Captain  Palmer  was  in  the  twenty-sixth 
year  of  his  age ;  amidst  his  endeavors  to  comfort  those 
Under  his  command,  his  companions  in  misfortune,  his 
personal  injuries  were  borne  with  patience  and  resigna- 
tion, and  no  murmurs  escaped  his  lips ;  his  virtuous  life 
was  prematurely  closed  by  the  overwhelming  severities 
of  the  lamentable  catastrophe  he  had  shared. 

During  the  course  of  another  tedious  night,  many 
suggested  the  possibility  of  constructing  a  raft  which 
might  carry  the  survivors  to  Cerigotto ;  and  the  wind 
being  favorable,  might  enable  them  to  reach  that  island. 
At  all  events,  attempting  this  seemed  preferable  to  re- 
maining on  the  rock  to  expire  of  hunger  and  thirst.  Ac- 
cordingly, at  daylight  they  prepared  to  put  their  plan  in 
execution.  A  number  of  the  larger  spars  were  lashed 
together,  and  sanguine  hopes  of  success  entertained. 
At  length  the  moment  of  launching  the  raft  arrived,  but 
it^was  only  to  distress  the  people  with  new  disappoint- 
ments, for  a  few  moments  sufficed  for  the  destruction  of 
a  work  on  which  the  strongest  of  the  party  had  been  oc- 
cupied hours.  Several  from  this  unexpected  failure  be- 
came still  more  desperate,  and  five  resolved  to  trust 
themselves  on  a  few  small  spars  slightly  lashed  together, 
and  on  which  they  had  scarce  roorri  to  stand.  Bidding 
their  companions  adieu,  they  launched  out  into  the  sea, 
where  they  were  speedily  carried  away  by  unknown 
currents,  and  vanished  forever  from  sight. 

Towards  the  same  afternoon,  the  people  were  again 
rejoiced  by  the  sight  of  the  whale-boat,  and  the  cox- 
swain told  them  that  he  had  experienced  great  difficulty 
in  prevailing  on  the  Greek  fishermen  of  Cerigotto  to  ven- 
ture in  their  boats,  ,from  dread  of  the  weather.  Netther 
would  they  permit  him  to  take  them  unaccompanied  by 
themselves  ;  he  regretted  what  his  comrades  had  endur- 
ed, and  his  grief  at  not  being  able  yet  to  relieve  them, 
but  encouraged  them  with  hopes,  if  the  weather  remain- 
ed fine,  that  next  day  the  boats  might  come.  While  the 
coxswain  spoke  this,  twelve  or  fourteen  men  imprudently 
plunged  from  the  rock  into  the  sea,  and  very  nearly 


LOSS   OF    THE   NAUTILUS    SLOOP   OF   WAR.  279 

*. 

reached  the  boat.  Two;  indeed,  got  so  far  as  to  be  tak- 
en in;  one  was  drowned,  and  the  rest  providentially  re- 
covered their  former  station.  Those  who  thus  escaped 
could  not  but  be  envied  by  their  companions,  while  they 
reproached  the  indiscretion  of  the  others,  who,  had  they 
reached  the  boat,  would  without  all  doubt  have  sunk 
her,  and  thus  unwittingly  consigned  the  whole  to  irre- 
mediable destruction. 

The  people  were  wholly  occupied  in  reflections  on  the 
passing  incidents ;  but  their  weakness  increased  as  the 
day  elapsed ;  one  of  the  survivors  described  himself  as 
feeling  the  approach  of  annihilation,  that  his  sight  failed, 
and  his  senses  became  confused ;  that  his  strength  was 
exhausted,  and  his  eyes  turned  towards  the  setting  sun, 
under  the  conviction  that  he  should  never  see  it  rise 
again.  Yet  on  the  morning  he  survived,  and  he  was 
surprised  that  Providence  willed  it  should  still  be  so,  as 
several  strong  men  had  fallen  in  the  course  of  the  night. 
While  the  remainder  were  contemplating  their  forlorn 
condition,  and  judging  this  the  last  day  of  their  lives, 
the  approach  of  the  boats  was  unexpectedly  announced. 
From  the  lowest  ebb  of  despair,  they  were  now  elated 
with  the  most  extravagant  joy ;  and  copious  draughts 
of  water,  quickly  landed,  refreshed  their  languid  bodies. 
Never  before  did  they  know  the  blessings  which  the 
single  possession  of  water  could  afford ;  it  tasted  more 
delicious  than  the  finest  wines. 

Anxious  preparations  were  made  for  immediate  de- 
parture from  a  place,  which  had  been  fatal  to  so  many 
unhappy  sufferers.  Of  one  hundred  and  twenty-two 
persons  on  board  the  Nautilus  when  she  struck,  fifty- . 
eight  had  perished.  Eighteen  were  drowned,  it  was 
supposed,  at  the  moment  of  the  catastrophe,  and  one  in 
attempting  to  reach  the  boat ;  five  were  lost  on  the  small 
raft,  and  thirty-four  died  of  famine.  About  fifty  now 
embarked  in  our  fishing  vessels,  and  landed  the  same 
evening  at  the  island  of  Cerigotto,  making  altogether 
sixty-four  individuals,  including  those  who  escaped  in 
the  whale-boat.  Six  days  had  been  passed  on  the  rock, 
nor  had  the  people,  during  that  time,  received  any  as* 


280  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

sistance,  excepting  from  the  human  flesh  of  which  they 
had  participated 

The  survivors  landed  at  a  small  creek  in  the  island 
of  Cerigotto,  after  which  they  had  to  go  to  a  considerable 
distance  before  reaching  the  dwellings  of  their  friends. 
Their  first  care  was  to  send  for  the  master's  mate,  who 
had  escaped  to  the  island  of  Pori,  and  had  been  left  be- 
hind when  the  whale-boat  came  down  to  the  rock.  He 
and  his  companions  had  exhausted  all  the  fresh  water, 
but  lived  on  the  sheep  and  goats,  which  they  caught 
among  the  rocks,  and  had  drank  their  blood.  There 
they  had  remained  in  a  state  of  great  uncertainty  con- 
cerning the  fate  of  those  who  had  left  them  in  the  boat. 

Though  the  Greeks  could  not  aid  the  seamen  in  the 
care  of  their  wounds,  they  treated  them  with  great  care 
and  hospitality ;  but  medical  assistance  being  important, 
from  the  pain  the  sufferers  endured,  and  having  nothing 
to  bind  up  their  wounds  but  shirts  which  they  tore  into 
bandages,  they  were  eager  to  reach  Cerigo.  The  island 
of  Cerigotto,  where  they  had  landed,  was  a  dependency 
on  the  other,  about  fifteen  miles  long,  ten  broad,  and  of 
a  barren  and  unproductive  soil,  with  little  cultivation. 
Twelve  or  fourteen  families  of  Greek  fishermen  dwelt  up- 
on it,  as  the  pilot  had  said,  who  were  in  a  state  of  ex- 
treme poverty.  Their  houses,  or  rather  huts,  consisting 
of  cne  or  two  rooms  on  the  same  floor,  were,  in  general, 
built  against  the  side  of  a  rock  ;  the  walls  composed  of 
clay  and  straw,  and  the  roof  supported  by  a  tree  in  the 
centre  of  the  dwelling.  Their  food  was  a  coarse  kind 
of  bread,  formed  of  boiled  pease  and  flour,  which  was 
made  into  a  kind  of  paste  for  the  strangers,  with  once  or 
twice  a  bit  of  kid ;  and  that  was  all  which  they  could 
expect  'from  their  deliverers.  But  they  made  a  liquor 
from  corn,  which  having  an  agreeable  flavor,  and  being 
a  strong  spirit,  was  drank  with  avidity  by  the  sailors. 

Cerigo  was  about  twenty-five  miles  distant,  and  there, 
it  was  also  said,  an  English  consul  resided.  Eleven 
days  elapsed,  however,  before  the  crew  could  leave  Ceri- 
gotto, from  the  difficulty  of  persuading  the  Greeks  to 
adventure  to  sea,  in  their  frail  barks,  during  tempestuous 


LOSS  OF  THE  NAUTILUS  SLOOP  OF  WAR.      281 

weather.  The  wind  at  last  proving  fair,  with  a  smooth 
sea,  they  bade  a  grateful  adieu  to  the  families  of  their 
deliverers,  who  were  tenderly  affected  by  their  distresses, 
and  shed  tears  of  regret  when  they  departed.  In  six  or 
eight  hours,  they  reached  Cerigo,  where  they  were  re- 
ceived with  open  arms.  Immediately  on  arrival,  they 
were  met  by  the  English  vice-consul,  Signer  Manuel 
Caluci,  a  native  of  the  island,  who  devoted  his  house, 
bed,  credit,  and  whole  attention  to  their  service ;  and  the 
survivors  unite  in  declaring  their  inability  to  express  the 
obligations  under  which  he  laid  them.  The  governor, 
commandant,  bishop,  and  principal  people,  all  showed 
equal  hospitality,  care,  and  friendship,  and  exerted 
themselves  to  render  the  time  agreeable ;  insomuch  that 
it  was  with  no  little  regret  that  these  shipwrecked  mari- 
ners thought  of  forsaking  the  island. 

After  the  people  had  remained  three  weeks  at  Cerigo, 
they  learnt  that  a  Russian  ship  of-war  lay  at  anchor 
off  the  Morea,  about  twelve  leagues  distant,  being  driven 
in  by  bad  weather,  and  immediately  sent  letters  to  her 
commanding  officer,  narrating  their  misfortunes,  and  so- 
liciting a  passage  to  Corfu.  The  master  of  the-  Nautilus 
determined  to  make  the  most  of  the  opportunity,  took  a 
boat  to  reach  the  Russian  vessel ;  but  he  was  at  first  so 
unfortunate  as  to  be  blown  on  the  rocks  in  a  heavy  gale 
of  wind,  where  he  nearly  perished,  and  the  boat  was 
staved  in  pieces.  However,  he  luckily  got  to  the  ship, 
and  after  some  difficulty,  succeeded  in  procuring  the  de- 
sired passage  for  himself  and  his  companions  to  Corfu. 
Her  commander,  to  accommodate  them,  came  down  to 
Cerigo,  and  anchored  at  a  small  port  called  St.  Nicholas, 
at  the  eastern  extremity  of  the  island.  The  English  em- 
barked on  the  5th,  but,  owing  to  contrary  winds,  did  not 
sail  until  the  15th  of  February,  when  they  bade  farewell 
to  their  friends.  They  next  touched  at  Zante,  another 
small  island,  abounding  in  currants  and  olives ;  the  oil 
from  the  latter  of  which  constitutes  the  chief  riches  of 
the  people.  After  remaining  there  four  days,  they  sailed 
for  Corfu,  where  they  arrived  on  the  2d  of  March,  1807, 
nearly  two  months  after  the  date  of  their  shipwreck. 
24* 


LOSS  OF  HIS  B.  MAJESTY'S  SHIP  AMPHION. 

THE  Amphion  frigate,  Captain  Israel  Fellow,  after  hav- 
ing cruised  some  time  in  the  North  Seas,  had  at  length 
receiv.ed  an'  order  to  join  the  squadron  of  frigates  com- 
manded by  Sir  Edward  Fellow.  She  was  on  her  passage, 
when  a  hard  gale  of  wind  occasioning  some  injury  to 
the  fore-mast,  obliged  her  to  put  back  into  Plymouth, 
off  which  place  she  then  was.  She  accordingly  came 
into  the  Sound,  anchored  there  on  the  19th,  and  went  up 
into  harbor  the  next  morning. 

On  the  22d,  at  about  half  past  four  P.  M.,  a  violent 
shock,  as  of  an  earthquake,  was  felt  at  Stone-house,  and 
extended  as  far  off  as  the  Royal  hospital  and  the  town  of 
Plymouth.  The  sky  towards  the  Dock  appeared  red, 
like  the  effect  of  a  fire ;  for  near  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  the 
cause  of  this  appearance  could  not  be  ascertained,  though 
the  streets  were  crowded  with  people  running  different 
ways  in  the  utmost  consternation. 

When  the  alarm  and  confusion  had  somewhat  sub- 
sided, it  first  began  to  be  known  that  the  shock  had  been 
occasioned  by  the  explosion  of  the  Amphion.  Several 
bodies  and  mangled  remains  were  picked  up  by  the  boats 
in  Harmoaze  ;  and  their  alacrity  on  this  occasion  was  par- 
ticularly remarked  and  highly  commended.  The  few 
who  remained  alive  of  the  crew  were  conveyed,  in  a 
mangled  state,  to  the  Royal  Hospital.  As  the  frigate  was 
originally  manned  from  Plymouth,  the  friends  and  rela- 
tions of  her  unfortunate  ship's  company  mostly  lived  in 
the  neighborhood.  It  is  dreadful  to  relate  what  a  scene 
took  place — arms,  legs  and  lifeless  trunks,  mangled  and 
disfigured  by  gunpowder,  were  collected  and  deposited 
at  the  hospital,  having  been  brought  in  sacks  to  be  own- 
ed. Bodies  still  living,  some  with  the  loss  of  limbs, 
others  having  expired  as  they  were  being  conveyed  thith- 
er; men.  women  and  children,  whose  sons,  husbands, 
and  fathers  were  among  the  unhappy  number,  flocking 


LOSS  OF  HIS  MAJESTY'S  SHIP  AMPIIION.  283 

round  the  gates,  entreating  admittance.  During  the  first 
evening  nothing  was  ascertained  concerning  the  cause  of 
this  event,  though  numerous  reports  were  instantly  cir- 
culated. The  few  survivors,  who,  by  the  following  day, 
had,  in  some  degree,  regained  the  use  of  their  senses, 
could  not  give  the  least  account.  One  man  who  was 
hrought  alive  to  the  Royal  Hospital,  died  before  night, 
another  before  the  following  morning;  the  boatswain  and 
one  of  the  sailors  appeared  likely,  with  great  care,  to  do 
well.  Three  or  four  men  who  were  at  work  in  the  tops, 
were  blown  up  with  them,  arid  falling  into  the  water, 
were  picked  up  with  very  little  hurt.  These,  with  the 
two  before  mentioned,  and  one  of  the  sailors,  wives,  were 
supposed  to  be  the  only  survivors,  besides  tlie  captain  and 
two  of  the  lieutenants. 

The  following  particulars  were,  however,  collected 
from  the  examination  of  several  persons  before  Sir 
Richard  King,  the  port-admiral,  and  the  information  pro- 
cured from  those,  who  saw  the  explosion  from  the  Dock. 
The  first  person  known  to  have  observed  any  thing 
was  a  young  midshipman  in  the  Cambridge  guard-ship, 
lying  not  far  distant  from  the  place  where  the  Amphion 
blew  up  ;  who  having  a  great  desire  to  observe  every 
thing  relative  to  a  profession  into  which  he  had  just  en- 
tered.was  looking  through  a  glass  at  the  frigate,  as  she 
lay  along  side  of  the  sheer-hulk,  and  was  taking  in  her 
bowsprit.  She  was  lashed  to  the  hulk ;  and  the  Yar- 
mouth, an  old  receiving  ship,  was  lying  on  the  oppo- 
site side,  quite  close  to  her,  and  both  within  a  few  yards 
of  the  Dock-yard  jetty.  The  midshipman  said,  that  the 
Amphion  suddenly  appeared  to  rise  altogether  upright 
from  the  surface  of  the  water,  until  he  nearly  saw  the 
keel ;  the  explosion  then  succeeded  ;  the  masts  seemed  to 
be  forced  up  into  the  air,  and  the  hull  instantly  to  sink. 
All  this  passed  in  the  space  of  two  minutes. 

The  man  who  stood  at  the  Dock-yard  stairs,  said,  that 
the  first  he  heard  of  it  was  a  kind  of  hissing  noise,  and 
then  followed  the  explosion,  when  he  beheld  the  masts 
blown  up  into  the  air.  It  was  very  strongly  reported 
that  several 'windows  were  broken  in  the  Dock  by  the 


294  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 

explosion,  and  that  in  the  Dock-yard,  much  mischief  was 
done  by  the  Amphion's  guns  going  off  when  she  blew  up ; 
but  though  the  shock  was  felt  as  far  off  as  Plymouth, 
and  at  Stone-house,  enough  to  shake  the  windows,  yet 
it  is  a  wonderful  and  miraculous  fact,  that  surrounded 
as  she  was  in  the  harbor,  with  ships  close  along-side  of 
the  jetty,  and  lashed  to  another  vessel,  no  damage  was 
done  to  any  thing  but  herself.  It  is  dreadful  to  reflect, 
that  owing  to  their  intention  of  putting  to  sea  the  next 
day,  there  were  nearly  one  hundred  men,  women  and 
children,  more  than  her  complement  on  board,  taking 
leave  of  their  friends,  besides  the  company  who  were  at 
two  dinners  given  in  the  ship,  one  of  which  was  by  the 
captain. 

Captain  Israel  Pellow,  and  captain  William  Swaffield, 
of  his  Majesty's  ship  Overyssel,  who  was  at  dinner  with 
him  and  the  first  lieutenant,  were  drinking  their  wine ; 
when  the  first  explosion  threw  them  off  their  seats,  and 
struck  them  against  the  carlings  of  the  upper  deck,  so  as 
to  stun  them.  Captain  Pellow,  however,  had  sufficient 
presence  of  mind  to  fly  to  the  cabin- windows,  and  see- 
ing the  two  hawsers,  one  slack  in  the  bit  and  the  other 
taut,  threw  himself  with  an  amazing  leap,  which  he  af- 
terwards said,  nothing  but  his  sense  of  danger  could 
have  enabled  him  to  take,  upon  the  latter,  and  by  that 
means  saved  himself  from  the  general  destruction, 
though  his  face  had  been  badly  cut  against  the  carlings, 
when  he  was  thrown  from  his  seat.  The  first  lieutenant 
saved  himself  in  the  same  manner,  by  jumping  out  of 
the  window,  and  by  being  also  a  remarkably  good  swim- 
mer; but  captain  Swaffield,  being,  as  it  was  supposed, 
more  stunned,  did  not  escape.  His  body  was  found  on 
the  twenty-second  of  October,  with  his  skull  fractured, 
appearing  to  have  been  crushed  between  the  sides  of  the 
vessels. 

The  sentinel  at  the  cabin  door  happened  to  be  looking 
at  his  watch  ;  how  he  escaped  no  one  can  tell,  not  even 
himself.  He  was,  however,  brought  on  shore,  and  but 
little  hurt ;  the  first  thing  he  felt  was,  that  his  watch  was 
dashed  out  of  his  hands,  after  which  he  was  no  longer 


LOSS  OF  HIS  MAJESTY  S  SHIP  AMPHION.  285 

sensible  of  what  happened  to  him.  The  boatswain  was 
standing  on  the  cat-head;  the  bowsprit  had  been  stepped 
for  three  hours ;  the  gammoning  and  every  thing  on ;  and 
he  was  directing  the  men  in  rigging  out  the  jib-boom, 
when  suddenly  he  felt  himself  driven  upwards  and  fell 
into  the  sea.  He  then  perceived  that  he  was  entangled 
in  the  rigging,  and  had  some  trouble  to  get  clear;  when 
toeing  taken  up  by  a  boat  belonging  to  one  of  the  men  of 
war,  they  found  that  his  arm  was  broken.  One  of  the 
surviving  seamen  declared  to  an  officer  of  rank,  that  he 
was  preserved  in  the  following  truly  astonishing  manner: 
— He  was  below  at  the  time  the  Amphion  blew  up,  and 
went  to  the  bottom  of  the  ship  :  he  recollected  that  he  had 
a  knife  in  his  pocket,  and  taking  it  out,  cut  his  way 
through  the  companion  of  the  gun-room,  which  was  al- 
ready shattered  with  the  explosion ;  then  letting  himself 
up  to  the  surface  of  the  water,  he  swam  unhurt  to  the 
shore.  He  showed  his  knife  to  the  officer,  and  declared 
he  had  been  under  water  full  five  minutes. 

It  was  likewise  said,  that  one  of  the  sailor's  wives  had 
a  young  child  in  her  arms  ;  the  fright  of  the  shock  made 
her  take  such  fast  hold  of  it,  that  though  the  upper  part 
of  her  body  alone  remained,  the  child  was  found  alive, 
locked  fast  in  her  arms,  and  likely  to  do  well. 

Mr.  Spry,  an  auctioneer  who  had  long  lived  in  great 
respectability  at  Dock,  with  his  son  and  god-son,  had 
gone  on  board  to  visit  a  friend,  and  were  all  lost. 

About  half  an  hour  before  the  frigate  blew  up,  one  of 
her  lieutenants,  and  lieutenant -Campbell  of  the  marines, 
and  some  of  the  men  got  into  the  boat  at  the  dock-yard 
stairs,  and  went  off  to  the  ship.  Lieutenant  Campbell 
had  some  business  to  transact  at  the  Marine  barracks  in 
the  morning,  and  continuing  there  some  time,  was  en- 
gaged by  the  officers  to  stay  to  dinner  and  spend  the 
evening  with  them.  Some  persons,  however,  who  had, 
in  the  interval,  come  from  the  Amphion,  informed  lieu- 
tenant Campbell  there  were  some  letters  on  board  for  him. 
As  they  were  some  which  he  was  extremely  anxious  to 
receive,  he  left  the  barracks  abotit  half  an  hour  before 
dinner  to  fetch  them,  intending  to  return  immediately ; 


286  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 

but  while  he  was  on  board,  the  ship  blew  up.  He  was  a 
young  man  universally  respected  and  lamented  by  the 
corps,  as  well  as  by  all  who  knew  him.  One  of  the  lieu- 
tenants who  lost  his  life  was  the  only  support  of  an  aged 
mother  and  sister,  who,  at  his  death,  had  neither  friend 
nor  relation  left  to  comfort  and  protect  them.  The  num- 
ber of  people  who  were  afterwards  daily  seen  at  Dock,  in 
deep  mourning  for  their  lost  relatives,  was  truly  melan- 
choly. 

Captain  Fellow  was  taken  up  by  the  boats  and  carried 
to  the  Commissioner  Fanshaw's  house,  in  ths  dock-yard, 
very  weak  with  the  exertions  he  had  made,and  so  shocked 
with  the  distressing  cause  of  them,  that  he  at  first  appeared 
scarcely  to  know  where  he  was,  or  to  be  sensible  of  his 
situation.  In  the  course  of  a  day  or  two,  when  he  was 
a  little  recovered,  he  was  removed  to  the  house  of  a 
friend,  Dr.  Hawker  of  Plymouth. 

Sir  Richard  King  had  given  a  public  dinner  in  honor 
of  the  coronation.  Captain  Charles  Rowley,  of  the  Unite 
frigate,  calling  in  the  morning,  was  engaged  to  stay,  and 
excused  himself  from  dining,  as  he  had  previously  in- 
tended, on  board  the  Amphion. 

Captain  Darby  of  the  Bellerophon,  was  also  to  have 
dined  with  captain  Fellow,  and  had  come  round  in  his 
boat  from  Cawsand  Bay ;  but  having  to  transact  some 
business  concerning  the  ship  with  Sir  Richard  King,  it  de- 
tained him  half  an  hour  longer  at  Stone-house  than  he 
expected.  He  had  just  gone  down  to  the  beach,  and  was 
stepping  into  the  boat  to  proceed  up  to  Harmoaze  when 
he  heard  the  fatal  explosion;  Captain  Swaffield  was  to 
have  sailed  the  next  day,  so  that  the  difference  of  twenty 
four  hours  would  have  saved  that  much  lamented  and 
truly  valuable  officer.  His  brother,  Mr.  J.  Swaffield,  of 
the  Pay-Office,  being  asked  to  the  same  dinner,  had  set 
off  with  him  from  Stone-house,  but  before  he  had  reached 
the  Dock,  a  person  came  after  him  upon  business,  which 
obliged  him  to  return,  and  thus  saved  him  from  sharing 
his  brother's  untimely  fate. 

Many  conjectures  were  formed  concerning  the  cause 
of  this  catastrophe.  Some  conceived  it  to  be  owing  to 


Loss  OP  HIS  MAJESTY'S  SHIP  AMPHION.  287 

neglect,  as  the  men  were  employed  in  drawing  the  guns, 
and  contrary  to  rule,  had  not  extinguished  all  the  fires, 
though  the  dinners  were  over.  This,  however,  the  first 
lieutenant  declared  to  be  impossible,  as  they  could  not 
be  drawing  the  guns,  the  key  of  the  magazine  hanging, 
to  his  certain  knowledge,  in  his  cabin,  at  the  time.  Some 
of  the  men  likewise  declared  that  the  guns  were  drawn 
in  the  Sound,  before  they  came  to  Harmoaze.  It  was  also 
insinuated,  that  it  was  done  intentionally,  as  several  of 
the  bodies  were  afterwards  found  without  clothes,  as  if 
they  had  prepared  to  jump  overboard  before  the  ship 
could  have  time  to  blow  up.  As  no  mutiny  had  ever  ap- 
peared in  the  ship,  it  seems  unlikely  that  such  a  desperate 
plot  should  have  been  formed,  without  any  one  who  sur- 
vived, having  the  least  knowledge  of  it.  It  is,  besides,  a 
w;ll-known  fact,  that  in  almost  every  case  of  shipwreck, 
where  there  is  a  chance  of  plunder,  there  are  wretches  so 
destitute  of  the  common  feelings  of  humanity  as  to  hover 
round  the  scene  of  horror,  in  hopes,  by  stripping  the 
bodies  of  the  dead,  and  seizing  whatever  they  can  lay 
their  hands  on,  to  benefit  themselves. 

It  was  the  fore-magazine  which  took  fire ;  had  it  been 
the  after  one,  much  more  damage  must  have  ensued. 
The  moment  the  explosion  was  heard,  Sir  Richard  arose 
from  dinner,  and  went  in  his  boat  on  board  the  hulk, 
where  the  sight  he  beheld  was  dreadful ;  the  deck  covered 
vith  blood,  mangled  limbs  and  entrails  blackened  with 
gunpowder,  the  shreds  of  the  Amphion's  pendant  and 
rigging  hanging  about  her,  and  pieces  of  her  shattered 
timbers  strewed  all  around.  Some  people  at  dinner  in  the 
Yarmouth,  though  at  a  very  small  distance,  declared  that 
the  report  they  heard  did  not  appear  to  be  louder  than 
the  firing  of  a  cannon  from  the  Cambridge,  which  they 
imagined  it  to  be,  and  had  never  risen  from  dinner,  till 
the  confusion  upon  deck  led  them  to  think  that  some  ac- 
cident had  happened. 

At  low  water,  the  next  day,  about  a  foot  and  a  half  of 
one  of  the  masts  appeared  above  water  ;  and  for  several 
days,  the  dock-yard  men  were  employed  in  collecting  the 
shattered  masts  and  yards,  and  dragging  out  what 


288  HEMARKABLE 

could  procure  from  the  wreck.  On  the  twenty-ninth, 
part  of  the  fore-chains  was  hauled,  shattered  and  splin- 
tered, also  the  head  and  cut-water. 

On  the  3rd  of  October,  an  attempt  was  made  to  raise 
the  Amphion,  between  the  two  frigates,  the  Castor  and 
Iphigenia,  which  were  accordingly  moored  on  each  side 
o£-  her;  but  nothing  could  be  got  up,  excepting  a  fev/ 
pieces  of  the  ship,  one  or  two  of  her  guns,  some  of  the 
men's  chests,  chairs,  and  part  of  the  furniture  of  the 
cabin.  Some  bodies  floated  out  from  between  decks, 
and  among  the  rest  a  midshipman's.  These,  and  all 
that  could  be  found,  were  towed  round  by  boats  through 
Stone-house  bridge,  up  to  the  Royal  Hospital  stairs,  lo  be 
interred  in  the  burying-ground.  The  sight  for  many 
weeks  was  truly  dreadful ;  the  change  of  tide  washing 
out  the  putrid  bodies,  which  were  towed  round  by  the 
boats  when  they  would  scarcely  hold  together. 

Bodies  continued  to  be  found  so  late  as  the  30th  of 
November,  when  the  Amphion  having  been  dragged 
round  to  another  part^of  the  dock-yard  jetty,  to  be  broken 
up,  the  body  of  a  woman  was  washed  out  from  between 
decks.  A  sack  was  also  dragged  up,  containing  gun- 
powder, covered  over  •  at  the  top  with  biscuit,  and  this 
in  seme  measure  confirmed  an  idea  which  had  before 
gained  ground,  that  the  gunner  had  been  stealing  powder 
to  sell,  and  had  concealed  what  he  could  get  out  by  .de- 
grees, in  the  above  manner;  and  that,  thinking  himself 
safe  on  a  day  when  every  one  was  entertaining  his 
friends,  he  had  carelessly  been  among  the  gunpowder 
without  taking  the  necessary  precautions.  As  he  was 
said  to  have  been  seen  at  Dock  very  much  in  liquor  in 
the  morning,  it  seems  probable  that  this  might  have  been 
the  cause  of  a  calamity  as  sudden  as  it  was  dreadful. 


LOSS  OF  THE  HELEN  McGREGOR. 

THE  following  is  a  description,  by  a  passenger,  of  one 
of  the  most  fatal  steam-boat  disasters  that  has  ever  oc- 
""rred  "on  the  western  waters. 


LOSS  OP  THE  STEAM-BOAT  HELEN  MCGREGO»,  289 

"  On  the  morning  of  the  24th  of  February.  1830,  the 
Helen  M'Gregor  stopped  at  Memphis,  on  the  Mississippi 
river,  to  deliver  freight,  and  land  a  number  of  passengers, 
who  resided  in  that  section  of  Tennessee.  The  time 
occupied  in  so  doing  could  not  have  exceeded  three 
quarters  of  an  hour.  When  the  boat  landed,  I  went 
ashore  to  see  a  gentleman  with  whom  I  had  some  busi- 
ness. I  found  him  on  the  beach,  and  after  a  short  con- 
versation, I  returned  to  the  boat.  I  recollect  looking  at  my 
watch  as  I  passed  the  gang-way.  It  was  half  past  eight 
o'clock.  A  great  number  of  persons  were  standing  on 
what  is  called  the  boiler-deck,  being  that  part  of  the  up- 
per deck  situated  immediately  over  the  boilers.  It  was 
crowded  to  excess,  and  presented  one  dense  mass  of  hu- 
man bodies.  In  a  few  minutes  we  sat  down  to  breakfast 
in  the  cabin.  The  table,  although  extending  the  whole 
length  of  the  cabin,  was  completely  filled,  there  being 
upwards  of  sixty  cabin  passengers,  among  whom  were 
several  ladies  and  children.  The  number  of  passengers 
on  board,  deck  and  cabin  united,  was  between  four  and 
five  hundred.  I  had  almost  finished  my  breakfast,  when 
the  pilot  rang  his  bell  for  the  engineer  to  put  the  machi- 
nery in  motion.  The  boat  having  just  shoved  off,  I  was 
in  the  act  of  raising  my  cup  to  my  lips,  the  tingling  of  the 
pilot  bell  yet  on  my  ear,  when  I  heard  an  explosion,  re- 
sembling the  discharge  of  a  small  piece  of  artillery — the 
report  was  perhaps  louder  than  usual  in  such  cases,  for  an 
exclamation  was  half  uttered  by  me  that  the  gun  was  well 
loaded,  when  the  rushing  sound  of  steam,  and  the  rat- 
tling of  glass  in  some  of  the  cabin  windows,  checked  my 
speech  and  told  too  well  what  had  occurred.  I  almost 
involuntarily  bent  my  head  and  body  down  to  the  floor 
— a  vague  idea  seemed  to  shoot  across  my  mind  that 
more  than  one  boiler  might  burst,  and  that  by  assuming 
this  posture,  the  destroying  matter  would  pass  over  with- 
out touching  me. 

The  general  cry  of  "  a  boiler  has  burst"  resounded  from 
one  end  of  the  table  to  the  other ;  and,  as  if  by  a  simul- 
taneous movement,  all  started  on  their  feet.  Then  com- 
menced a  general  race  to  the  ladies'  cabin,  which  lay  more 
25 


290  REMARKABLE  SHIPWRECKS. 

towards  the  stern  qf  the  boat.  All  regard  to  order  of 
deference  to  sex  seemed  to  be  lost  in  the  struggle  for 
which  should  be  first  and  farthest  removed  from  the 
dreaded  boilers.  The  danger  had  already  passed  away  ! 
I  remained  standing  by  the  chair  on  which  I  had  been 
previously  sitting.  Only  one  person  or  two  staid  in  the 
cabin  with  me.  As  yet  no  more  than  half  a  minute  had 
elapsed  since  the  explosion ;  but,  in  that  brief  space  how 
had  the  scene  changed  !  In  that  "  drop  of  time"  what 
confusion,  distress  and  dismay  !  An  instant  before,  and 
all  were  in  the  quiet  repose  of  security — another,  and 
they  were  overwhelmed  with  alarm  and  consternation. 
It  is  but  justice  to  say  that  in  this  scene  of  terror,  the 
ladies  exhibited  a  degree  of  firmness  worthy  of  all  praise. 
No  screaming,  no  fainting;  their  fears,  when  uttered, 
were  for  their  husbands  and  children,  not  for  themselves. 
I  advanced  from  my  position  to  one  of  the  cabin-doors, 
for  the  purpose  of  inquiring  who  were  injured,  when  just 
as  I  reached  it,  a  man  entered  at  the  opposite  one,  both  his 
hands  covering  his  face,  and  exclaiming  "  Oh  God,  Oh 
God  !  I  am  lost !  I  am  ruined  !"  He  immediately  began 
to  tear  off  his  clothes.  When  stripped,  he  presented  a 
most  shocking  and  afflicting  spectacle  ;  his  face  was  en- 
tirely black — his  body  without  a  particle  of  skin.  Hs 
had  been  flayed  alive.  He  gave  me  his  name,  and  place 
of  ab6de — then  sank  in  a  state  of  exhaustion  and  agony 
on  the  floor.  I  assisted  in  placing  him  on  a  mattrass 
taken  from  one  of  the  berths,  and  covered  him  with 
blankets.  He  complained  of  heat  and  cold  as  at  once 
oppressing  him.  He  bore  his  torments  with  manly  for- 
titude, yet  a  convulsive  shriek  would  occasionally  burst 
from  him.  His  wife,  his  children,  were  his  constant 
theme  ;  it  was  hard  to  die  without  seeing  them — "  it  was 
hard  to  go  without  bidding  them  one  farewell !"  Oil  and 
cotton  were  applied  to  his  wounds ;  but  he  soon  became 
insensible  to  earthly  misery.  Before  I  had  done  attend- 
ing to  him,  the  whole  floor  of  the  cabin  was  covered  with 
unfortunate  sufferers.  Some  bore  up  under  the  horrors 
of  their  situation  with  a  degree  of  resolution  amounting 
to  heroism.  Others  were  wholly  overcome  by  the  sense 


LOSS  OF  THE  STEAM-BOAT  HELEN  M{GREQOR.  291 

of  pain,  the  suddenness  of  the  disaster,  and  the  near  ap- 
proach of  death,  which  even  to  them  was  evident — 
whose  pangs  they  already  felt.  Some  implored  us,  as  an 
act  of  humanity,  to  complete  the  work  of  destruction, 
and  free  them  from  present  suffering.  One  entreated  the 
presence  of  a  clergyman  to  pray  by  him,  declaring  he 
was  not  fit  to  die.  I  inquired ;  none  could  be  had.  On 
every  side  were  to  be  heard  groans  and  mingled  excla- 
mations of  grief  and  despair. 

To  add  to  the  confusion,  persons  were  every  moment 
running  about  to  learn  the  fate  of  their  friends  and  rela- 
tives, fathers,   sons,  brothers ;  for,  in   this  scene  of  un- 
mixed  calamity,    it   was   impossible  to  say  who   were 
saved,  or  who  had  perished.     The  countenances  of  many 
were  so  much  disfigured  as  to  be  past  recognition.     My 
attention,  after  some  time,  was  particularly  drawn  to- 
wards   a  poor  fellow  who  lay  unnoticed  on  the  floor, 
without  uttering  a  single  word  of  complaint.     He  was  at 
a   little  distance  removed  from  the  rest.     He  was  not 
much  scalded,  but  one  of  his  thighs  was  broken,  and  a 
principal  artery  had  been  severed,  from  which  the  blood 
was  gushing  rapidly.     He  betrayed  no  displeasure  at 
the  apparent  neglect  with  which  he  was  treated — he  was 
perfectly  calm.     I  spoke  to  him;  he  said  "  he  was  very 
weak ;   but  felt  himself  going — it  would  soon  be  over." 
A  gentleman  ran   for  one  of  the  physicians ;  he  came, 
and  declared  that  if  expedition  were  used,  he   might  be 
preserved  by  amputating  the  limb  ;  but  that,  to  effect  this, 
it  would  be  necessary  to  remove  him  from  the  boat.    Un- 
fortunately, the  boat  was  not  sufficiently  near  to  run  a 
plank  ashore.     We  were  obliged  to  wait  until  it  coaH  be 
close-hauled.      I    stood   by   him   calling   for  help;   we 
placed  him  on  a   mattrass,  and  bore  him  to  the  guards; 
there  we  were  detained  some  time,  from  the  cause  I  have 
mentioned.     Never  did  any  thing  appear  to  me  so  slow 
as  the  movement  of  those  engaged  in  hauling  the  boat. 
I  knew  and  he  knew,  that  delay  was  death — that  life 
was  fast  ebbing.     I  could  not  take  my  gaze  from  his 
face,  there  all  was  coolness  and  resignation.     No  word 
or  gesture  indicative  of  impatience  escaped  him.     He 


292  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 

perceived  by  my  loud,  and  perhaps  angry  tone  of  voice, 
how  much  I  was  excited  by  what  I  thought  the  barba- 
rous slowness  of  those  around ;  he  begged  me  not  to  take 
so  much  trouble ;  that  they  were  doing  their  best.  At 
length  we  got  him  on  shore.  It  was  too  late ;  he  was 
too  much  exhausted,  and  died  immediately  after  the 
amputation. 

So  soon  as  I  was  relieved  from  attending  on  those  in 
the  cabin,  E  went  to  examine  that  part  of  the  boat  where 
the  boiler  had  burst.  It  was  a  complete  wreck — a  pic- 
ture of  destruction.  It  bore  ample  testimony  of  the  tre- 
mendous force  of  that  power  which  the  ingenuity  of  man 
has  brought  to  his  aid.  The  steam  had  given  every 
thing  a  whitish  hue — the  boilers  were  displaced — the 
deck  had  fallen  down — the  machinery  was  broken  and 
disordered.  Bricks,  dirt,  and  rubbish,  were  scattered 
about.  Close  by  the  bowsprit  was  a  large  rent  through 
which,  I  was  told,  the  boiler  after  exploding,  had  passed 
out,  carrying  one  or  two  men  in  its  mouth.  Several 
dead  bodies  were  lying  around;  their  fate  had  been  an 
enviable  one  compared  with  that  of  others ;  they  could 
scarcely  have  been  conscious  of  a  pang  ere  they  had 
ceased  to  be.  On  the  starboard  wheel-house  lay  a  hu- 
man body,  in  which  life  was  not  yet  extinct,  though  ap- 
parently, there  was  no  sensibility  remaining.  The  body 
must  have  been  thrown  from  the  boiler  deck,  a  distance 
of  thirty  feet.  The  whole  of  the  forehead  had  been 
blown  away;  the  brains  were  still  beating.  Tufts  of 
hair,  shreds  of  clothing,  and  splotches  of  blood  might  be 
seen  in  every  direction.  A  piece  of  skin  was  picked  up 
by  a  gentleman  on  board,  which  appeared  to  have  been 
peeled  off  by  the  force  of  the  steam ;  it  extended  from 
the  middle  of  the  arm  down  to  the  tips  of  the  fingers, 
the  nails  adhering  to  it.  So  dreadful  had  been  the  force 
that  not  a  particle  of  the  flesh  adhered  to  it ;  the  most 
skilful  operator  could  scarcely  have  effected  such  a  re- 
sult. Several  died  from  inhaling  the  steam  or  gas, 
whose  skin  was  almost  uninjured. 

The  number  of  lives  lost  will,  in  all  probability,  never 
be  distinctly  known.     Many  were  seen  flung  into  the 


LOSS  OF  THE  STEAM-BOAT  HELEN  M'GREGOR. 

river,  most  of  whom  sank  to  rise  no  more.  Could  the 
survivors  have  been  kept  together  until  the  list  of  pas- 
sengers was  called,  the  precise  loss  would  have  been  as- 
certained ;  that,  however,  though  it  had  been  attempted, 
would,  under  the  circumstances,  have  been  next  to  im- 
possible. 

Judging  from  the  crowd  which  I  saw  on  the  boiler- 
deck  immediately  before  the  explosion,  and  the  state- 
ment which  I  received  as  to  the  number  of  those  who 
succeeded  in  swimming  out,  after  they  were  cast  into  the 
river,  I  am  inclined  to  believe  that  between  fifty  and 
sixty  must  have  perished. 

The  cabin  passengers  escaped,  owing  to  the  peculiar 
construction  of  the  boat.  Just  behind  the  boilers  were 
several  large  iron  posts,  supporting,  I  think,  the  boiler 
deck  ;  across  each  post  was  a  large  circular  plate  of  iron 
of  between  one  and  two  inches  in  thickness.  One  of 
those  posts  was  placed  exactly  opposite  the  head  of  the 
boiler  which  burst,  being  the  second  one  on  the  starboard 
side.  Against  this  plate,  the  head  struck,  and  penetrated 
to  the  depth  of  an  inch,  then  broke  and  flew  off  at  an 
angle,  entering  a  cotton-bale  to  the  depth  of  a  foot. 
The  boiler-head  was  in  point  blank  range  with  the, 
breakfast-table  in  the  cabin,  and  had  it  not  been  obstruct- 
ed by  the  iron  post  must  have  made  a  clear  sweep  of 
those  who  were  seated  at  the  table. 

To  render  any  satisfactory  account  of  the  cause  which 
produced  the  explosion,  can  hardly  be  expected  from  one 
who  possesses  no  scientific  or  practical  knowledge  on  the 
subject,  and  who  previously  thereto  was  paying  no 
attention  to  the  management  of  the  boat.  The  captain 
appeared  to  be  very  active  and  diligent  in  attending  to 
his  duty.  He  was  on  the  boiler-deck  when  the  explo- 
sion occurred;  was  materially  injured  by  that  event, 
and  must  have  been  ignorant  of  the  mismanagement,  if 
any  there  was. 

From  the  engineer  alone,  could  the  true  explanation 

be  afforded ;  and,  if  indeed  it  was  really  attributable  to 

negligence,  it  can  scarcely  be  supposed  he  will  lay  thp 

blame  on  himself.     If  I  might  venture  a  suggestion  in 

25* 


294  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 

relation  thereto,  I  would  assign  the  following  causes : — 
That  the  water  in  the  starboard  boilers  had  become  low, 
in  consequence  of  that  side  of  the  boat  resting  upon  the 
ground  during  our  stay  at  Memphis ;  that,  though  the 
fires  were  kept  up  some  time  before  we  shoved  off, 
the  head  which  burst  had  been  cracked  for  a  considera- 
ble time ;  that  the  boiler  was  extremely  heated,  and  the 
water  thrown  in  when  the  boat  was  again  in  motion, 
was  at  once  converted  into  steam,  and  the  flues  not  be- 
ing sufficiently  large  to  carry  it  off  as  quickly  as  it  was 
generated,  nor  the  boiler-head  of  a  strength  capable  of 
resisting  its  action,  the  explosion  was  a  natural  result." 


LOSS  OF  THE  SHIP  BEVERLY. 

THE  ship  Beverly,  captain  Moore,  bound  to  Valparai- 
so, was  burnt  at  sea,  on  the  13th  November,  1826.  She 
was  upwards  of  seven  hundred  tons  burthen,  owned  by 
Israel  Thorndike,  of  Boston,  and  the  value  of  the  ship 
and  cargo  was  estimated  at  one  hundred  and  eighteen 
thousand  dollars. 

On  the  13th  of  November,  latitude  6,  26,  longitude  27, 
2,  at  half  past  three,  P.  M.,  the  ship  was  discovered  to 
be  on  fire  in  the  fore  peak,  and  every  exertion  was  made 
to  extinguish  it,  for  three  hours,  but  without  success. 
From  the  inflammable  nature  of  the  cargo,  (which  con- 
sisted of  tar,  rosin,  pitch,  turpentine,  linseed-oil,  spirits 
and  cabinet  furniture,)  the  fire  spread  with  alarming  ra- 
pidity. They  succeeded  in  getting  out  the  boats,  into 
which  the  officers  and  crew  were  divided,  and  in  a  few 
minutes  left  her,  having  previously  taken  in  a  quantity 
of  provisions.  They  lay-by  to  the  windward,  until 
about  ten  o'clock,  when  the  ship  had  burnt  to  the  wa- 
ter's edge,  and  then  shaped  their  course  for  the  coast  of 
Brazil.  Finding  their  progress  retarded  by  waiting  for 
each  other,  they  mutually  agreed  to  separate,  on  the 
third  day  after  leaving  the  ship.  There  were  nine  in  the 
pinnace,  fifteen  in  the  longrboat,  and  six  in  the  whale- 


LOSS  OF  THE  FRANCES  MARY.  295 

boat,  making  a  total  of  thirty  persons  cast  adiift  on  the 
open  ocean. 

On  the  3d  of  December,  the  pinnace  landed  at  Faraibo, 
three  weeks  after  abandoning  the  ship.  Captain  Moore 
stated  that  while  he  was  in  the  boat,  he  had  fine  weather, 
and  with  the  aid  of  a  sail,  averaged  over  ninety  miles  a 
day,  using  the  oars  but  once  during  the  passage.  He 
computed  the  distance  run  by  the  boat  at  nearly  sixteen 
hundred  miles.  The  fire  originated  through  the  care- 
lessness of  the  cook,  who  went  below  with  a  lantern, 
and  it  is  supposed  took  the  candle  out.  The  flames 
spread  so  rapidly,  that  he  had  his  clothes  and  skin  burnt, 
before  he  could  be  extricated,  and  finally  died  of  his 
wounds  in  the  boat. 

One  of  the  boys,  who  arrived  with  captain  Moore  in 
the  pinnace,  after  having  escaped  the  perils  of  "  fire  and 
flood,"  was  so  unfortunate  as  to  have  one  of  his  legs  bit 
off  by  a  shark,  while  bathing,  soon  after  he  landed. 


LOSS  OF  THE  FRANCES  MARY. 

THE  Frances  Mary  was  a  new  ship,  of  about  four 
hundred  tons  burthen,  commanded  by  captain  Kendall, 
and  bound  from  New  Brunswick  to  Liverpool,  laden 
with  timber.  We  publish  the  following  particulars  of 
this  dreadful  disaster  as  related  by  captain  Kendall. 

Sailed  from  St.  Johns,  N.  B.,  January  18, 1826.  Feb- 
ruary 1,  strong  gales  from  the  W.  N.  W. ;  carried 
away  the  main-topmast  and  mizzen-mast  head ;  hove 
to,  got  boat's  sails  in  the  main  rigging,  to  keep  the 
ship  to  the  wind.  At  11,  P.  M.,  shipped  a  heavy  sea, 
which  washed  away  the  caboose,  jolly-boat,  and  disa- 
bled five  men.  February  2d,  cleared  away  the  wreck 
and  made  sail  before  the  wind ;  strong,  breezes.  Febru- 
ary 5,  11,  A.  M.,  strong  gales,  with  a  heavy  sea ;  clewed 
up  the  sails  and  hove  to,  head  to  the  southward ;  ship- 
ped  a  sea,  which  carried  away  the  long-boat,  companion, 
tiller,  the  best  bower-chain,  unshipped  the  rudder,  and 
21* 


298  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS, 

washed  a  man  overboard,  who  was  afterwards  saved. 
At  10.  P.  M.  another  heavy  sea  struck  us,  which  stove 
in  our  stern.  Cut  away  our  foremast  and  both  bower 
anchors,  to  keep  the  ship  to  the  wind.  Employed  in 
getting  what  provision  we  could,  by  knocking  out  the 
bow-port ;  saved  fifty  pounds  of  bread  and  five  pounds 
of  cheese,  which  we  stowed  in  the  maintop.  Got  the 
master's  wife  and  female  passenger  up,  whilst  we  were 
clearing  away  below,  lightening  the  ship ;  most  of  the 
people  slept  in  the  top.  At  daylight,  found  Patrick  Con- 
ney  hanging  by  his  legs  to  the  cat-harpins,  dead  from  fa- 
tigue ;  committed  his  body  to  the  deep. 

Feburary  6,  a*  8,  A.  M.,  saw  a  strange  sail  standing 
towards  us;  made  signals  of  distress, — stranger  spoke 
us,  and  remained  in  company  twenty-four  hours,  but 
gave  us  no  assistance ;  the  American  making  an  excuse 
that  the  sea  was  running  too  high.  Made  a  tent  of  spare 
canvass 'on  the  forecastle — put  the  people  on  an  allow- 
ance of  a  quarter  of  a  biscuit  a  day.  February  8,  saw  a 
brig  to  leeward — strong  gales.  February  9,  10,  A.  M., 
observed  the  same  vessel  to  windward — made  the  signal 
of  distress ;  stranger  bore  up  and  showed  American  co- 
lors. February  10,  she  spoke  us,  asking  how  long  we 
had  been  in  that  situation,  and  what  we  intended  to  do, 
if  we  intended  leaving  the  ship  ?  Answered  yes.  He 
then  asked  if  we  had  any  rigging?  Answered  yes. 
Night  coming  on,  and  blowing  hard,  saw  no  more  of  the 
stranger.  Suffered  from  hunger  and  thirst. 

On  the  llth,  saw  a  large  ship  to  the  northward — did 
not  speak  her ;  wore  head  to  the  northward.  At  this 
time  all  our  provisions  were  out;  suffered  much  from 
hunger,  having  received  no  nourishment  for  nine  days. 
February  12,  departed  this  life,  James  Clark,  seaman  ; — 
read  prayers,  and  committed  his  body  to  the  deep.  We 
were  at  this  time  on  a  half  gill  of  water  a  day,  and  suf- 
fered much  from  hunger.  During  the  whole  period  of 
being  on  the  wreck  we  were  wet  from  top  to  toe.  Feb- 
ruary 22,  John  Wilson,  seaman,  died  at  10,  A.  M. ;  pre- 
served the  body  of  the  deceased,  cut  him  up  in  quarters, 
washed  them  overboard,  and  hung  them  up  on  pins. 


LOSS   OF   THE   FRANCES   MARY.  297 

February  23^  J.  Moore  died,  and  was  thrown  overboard, 
having  eaten  part  of  him,  such  as  the  liver  and  heart. 
From  this  date  to  Saturday,  5th  of  March,  the  following 
number  perished  from  hunger,  viz.  Henry  Davis,  a 
Welsh  boy,  Alex.  Kelley,  seaman,  John  Jones,  appren- 
tice boy,  nephew  of  the  owner,  James  Frier,  cook,  Da- 
niel Jones,  seaman,  John  Hutchinson,  seaman,  and  John 
Jones,  a  boy — threw  the  last  named  overboard,  his  blood 
being  bitter. 

James  Frier  was  working  his  passage  home,  under  a 
promise  of  marriage  to  Ann  Saunders,  the  female  passen- 
ger who  attended  on  the  master's  wife,  and  who,  when 
she  heard  of  Frier's  death,  shrieked  a  loud  yell,  then 
snatching  a  cup  from  Clerk,  the  mate,  cut  her  late  in- 
tended husband's  throat  and  drank  his  blood  !  insisting 
that  she  had  the  greatest  right  to  it.  A  scuffle  ensued, 
but  the  heroine  got  the  better  of  her  adversary,  and  then 
allowed  him  to  drink  one  cup  to  her  two. 

February  26,  on  or  about  this  day  an  English  brig 
hove  in  sight ;  hoisted  the  ensign  downward ;  stranger 
hauled  his  wind  towards  us,  and  hauled  his  foresail  up 
when  abreast  of  us ;  kept  his  course  about  one  mile  dis- 
tant— set  his  foresail,  and  we  soon  lost  sight  of  him — 
fresh  breeze  with  a  little  rain — the  sea  quite  smooth,  but 
he  went  off,  having  shown  English  colors.  Had  he  at 
this  time  taken  us  off  the  wreck,  much  of  the  subsequent 
dreadful  sufferings  would  have  been  spared  us. 

March  7.  His  B.  M.  ship  Blonde  came  in  sight,  and 
to  our  relief,  in  latitude  44,  43,  north,  longitude  31,  57, 
west.  Words  are  quite  inadequate  to  express  our  feel- 
ings, as  well  as  those  which  Lord  Byron  and  our  deli- 
verers most  evidently  possessed,  when  they  had  come  to 
rescue  six  of  their  fellow-creatures,  two  of  them  females, 
from  a  most  awful,  lingering,  but  certain  death.  It  came 
on  to  blow  during  the  night  a  fresh  gale,  which  would 
no  doubt  have  swept  us  all  overboard.  Lieutenant 
Gambier  came  in  the  ship's  cutter  to  bring  us  from  the 
wreck.  He  observed  to  us,  "You  have  yet,  I  perceive, 
fresh  meat."  To  which  we  were  compelled  to  reply, 
"  No,  sir,  it  is  part  of  a  man,  one  of  our  unfortunate 


298  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 

crew, — it  was  our  intention  to  put  ourselves  on  an  al- 
lowance even  of  this  food,  this  evening,  had  not  you 
come  to  our  relief."  The  master's  wife,  who  under  went 
all  the  most  horrid  sufferings  which  the  human  under- 
standing can  imagine,  bore  them  much  better  than  could 
possibly  have  been  expected.  She  is  now,  although 
'.much  emaciated,  a  respectable,  good-looking  woman, 
f  about  twenty-five  years  of  age,  and  the  mother  of  a  boy 
seven  years  old.  But  what  must  have  been  the  extre- 
mity of  want  to  which  she  was  driven,  when  she  ate 
the  brains  of  one  of  the  apprentices,  saying  it  was  the 
most  delicious  thing  she  ever  tasted  ;  and  it  is  still  more 
melancholy  to  relate,  that  the  person,  whose  brains  she 
was  thus  forced  by  hunger  to  eat,  had  been  three  times 
wrecked  before,  but  was  providentially  picked  up  by  a 
vessel,  after  being  twenty-two  days  on  the  wreck,  wa- 
ter-logged :  but  in  the  present  instance,  he  perished, 
(having  survived  similar  sufferings  for  a  space  of  twenty- 
nine  days,)  and  then  became  food  for  his  remaining  ship- 
mates ! 

Ann  Saunders,  the  other  female,  had  more  strength  in 
her  calamity  than  most  of  the  men.  She  performed  the 
duty  of  cutting  up  and  cleaning  the  dead  bodies,  keep- 
ing two  knives  for  the  purpose  in  her  monkey  jacket ;  arid 
when  the  breath  was  announced  to  have  flown,  she 
would  sharpen  her  knives,  bleed  the  deceased  in  the 
neck,  drink  his  blood,  and  cut  him  up  as  usual.  From 
want  of  water,  those  who  perished  drank  their  own 
urine  and  salt  water.  They  became  foolish,  and  crawJ- 
ed  upon  their  hands  round  the  deck  when  they  could, 
and  died,  generally,  raving  mad ! 

After  floating  about  the  ocean  for  some  months,  this 
ill-fated  vessel  was  fallen  in  with  by  an  English  ship, 
and  carried  into  Jamaica,  where  she  was  refitted,  and 
again  sent  to  sea.  The  putrid  remains  of  human  bodies, 
which  had  been  the  only  food  of  the  unfortunate  sur- 
vivors, was  found  on  board  the  vessel. 


LOSS  OF  THE  SHIP  ALBION. 

THE  following  account  of  this  melancholy  shipwreck 
was  given  by  Henry  Cammyer,  first  mate  of  the  vessel. 

We  sailed  from  New  York  on  the  first  of  April,  1822, 
in  the  ship  Albion,  of  four  hundred  and  forty-seven  tons, 
with  a  crew,  including  officers,  of  twenty-five  in  num- 
ber, besides  twenty- three  cabin,  and  six  steearge  pas- 
sengers ;  making  in  the  whole  fifty-four  persons,  only 
nine  of  whom  now  live  to  relate  the  melancholy  tale. 
For  the  first  twenty  days,  we  continued  our  voyage  with 
moderate  and  favorable  weather ;  and  at  about  half  past 
one  o'clock,  in  the  afternoon  of  Sunday  the  21st,  we  made 
the  land.  The  Fastnet  rock  bore  by  compass,  E.  N.  E., 
distant  about  three  leagues.  At  two,  made  cape  Clear, 
bearing  east  and  by  north,  distance  about  two  leagues. 
Thick  and  foggy,  blowing  fresh,  and  heavy  squalls  from 
the  southward.  Ship  heading  up  E.  S.  E.,  carrying  all 
prudent  sail,  to  crowd  the  ship  off  the  land.  The  gale 
increasing,  shortened  sail  occasionally.  At  four  o'clock, 
then  under  double  reefed  topsails,  foresail,  and  mainsail, 
carried  away  the  foreyard,  and  split  the  foretopsail. 
Got  the  pieces  of  the  yard  down,  and  prepared  to  get 
another  yard  up.  Gale  increasing,  about  half  past  four, 
took  in  the  mainsail  and  mizzen-topsail,  and  set  the  main- 
trysail.  Night  coming  on,  cleared  the  decks  for  work- 
ing ship.  At  half  past  eight,  gale  still  increasing,  with 
a  high  sea.  Shipped  a  heavy  sea,  which  threw  the  ship 
on  her  beam-ends,  and  carried  away  the  mainmast  by 
the  deck,  the  head  of  the  mizzen-mast,  and  fore-topmast, 
and  swept  the  decks  clear  of  every  thing,  including  boats, 
caboose  house,  bulwarks,  and  compasses,  and  stove  in 
all  the  hatches,  state  rooms,  and  bulwarks  in  the  cabin, 
which  was  nearly  filled  with  water.  At  the  same  mo- 
ment, six  of  the  crew  and  one  cabin  passenger,  Mr.  A. 
B.  Convers,  of  Troy,  N.  Y.,  were  swept  overboard. 


300  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

The  ship  being  unmanageable,  and  the  sea  making  a 
complete  breach  over  her.  we  were  obliged  to  lash  our- 
selves to  the  pumps,  and  being  in  total  darkness,  with- 
out correct  compasses,  could  not  tell  how  the  ship's  head 
lay.  The  axes  being  swept  away,  had  no  means  of 
clearing  the  wreck.  About  one  o'clock,  made  the  light 
of  the  Old  Head  of  Kinsale,  but  could  not  ascertain  how 
it  bore ;  and  at  two,  found  the  ship  embayed.  The  cap- 
tain, anticipating  our  melancholy  fate,  called  all  the 
passengers  up,  who  had  not  before  been  on  deck.  Many 
of  them  had  received  considerable  injury  when  the  sea 
first  struck  her,  and  were  scarcely  able  to  come  on  deck ; 
others  had  been  incessantly  assisting  at  the  pumps ;  and 
it  is  an  interesting  fact,  that  Miss  Powell,  an  amiable 
young  lady,  who  was  on  board,  was  desirous  to  be  al- 
lowed to  take  her  turn.  One  gentlemaji,  who  had  been 
extremely  ill  during  the  passage,  Mr.  William  Everhart, 
of  Chester,  Penn.,  was  too  feeble  to  crawl  to  the  deck 
without  assistance,  but  strange  tp  say,  he  was  the  only 
cabin  passenger  who  was  saved. 

Our  situation  at  that  moment,  is  indescribable,  and  I 
can  scarcely  dwell  upon,  much  less  attempt  to  detail,  its 
horrors.  About  three  o'clock,  the  ship  struck  on  a  reef, 
her  upper  works  beat  in  over  the  rocks,  and  in  about 
half  an  hour  after  coming  in  over  the  first  reef,  she  part- 
ed midships,  and  her  quarter-deck  drifted  in  on  the  top 
of  the  inside  ledge,  immediately  under  the  cliffs.  Up  to 
the  period  of  her  parting,  nearly  twenty  persons  were 
clinging  to  the  wreck,  among  whom  were  two  females, 
Mrs.  Pye,  and  Miss  Powell.  Captain  Williams  had, 
with  several  others,  been  swept  away  soon  after  she 
struck  ;  a  circumstance  which  may  be  attributed  to  the 
very  extraordinary  exertions  which  he  used,  to  the  last 
moment,  for  the  preservation  of  the  lives  of  the  unfortu- 
nate passengers  and  crew. 

A  short  time  before  she  parted,  myself  and  six  of  the 
crew  got  away  from  the  vessel.     After  gaining  a  rock  in 
a  very  exhausted  state,  I  was  washed  off,  but,  by  the  as- 
sistance of  Providence,  was  enabled,  before  the  return  i 
of  the  sea,  to  regain  it ;  and  before  I  could  attemptKo  ; 


LOSS  (5F  THE  SHIP  ALBION.  301 

climb  the  cliff,  which  was  nearly  perpendicular,  I  was 
obliged  to  lie  down,  to  regain  a  little  strength,  after  the 
severe  bruises  and  contusions  I  had  received  on  the  body 
and  feet.  One  of  the  passengers,  colonel  Augustine  J. 
Prevost,  reached  the  rock  with  me  alive,  but  was,  toge- 
ther with  one  of  the  stewards,  washed  off  and  drowned. 

Some  of  the  passengers  were  suifocated  on  deck  and 
in  the  fore  rigging,  and  some  must  have  been  destroyed 
by  an  anchor  which  was  loose  on  the  forecastle  before 
the  ship  parted.  It  is  scarcely  possible  to  describe  the 
devastation  which  followed.  The  entire  cargo,  consist- 
ing of  cotton,  rice,  turpentine,  and  beeswax,  together 
with  a  quantity  of  silver  and  gold,  to  a  large  amount, 
was  in  all  directions  beaten  to  pieces  by  the  severity  of 
the  sea,  without  a  possibility  of  saving  it. 

Very  soon  after  we  got  upon  the  cliffs,  my  poor  ship- 
mates and  myself  found  our  way  to  a  peasant's  cottage. 
Early  in  the  morning,  Mr.  James  B.  Gibbens,  of  Ballin- 
spittle,  came  to  me  from  the  wreck,  where  he  had  been 
since  five  o'clock,  endeavoring  to  save  some  of  the  lives-. 
He  most  humanely  sent  Mr.  Everhart,  Mr.  Raymond, 
the  boy,  and  myself,  to  his  house,  about  a  mile  from  the 
spot,  where  we  experienced  the  kindest  and  most  hos- 
pitable attention.  The  remaining  survivors  were  taken 
borne  by  Mr.  Parcel!,  steward  of  Thomas  Rochfort,  Esq. 
of  Garretstown,  where  every  attention  was  paid  to  them. 
Coffins  were  provided  by  Mr.  Purccll,  according  to  the 
orders  of  Mr.  Rochfort,  and  the  bodies  that  were  found, 
were  interred  at  Templetrine  churchyard,  about  four 
miles  from  Kinsale  and  one  from  the  fatal  spot.  The 
Rev.  Mr.  Evanson  kindly  officiated  on  the  occasion. 
On  Tuesday,  I  went  to  Kinsale  to  note  a  protest,  and 
then  first  met  Mr.  Mark,  the  consul  for  the  United  States, 
who  happened  to  be  at  Kinsale  at  that  time  on  other 
business.  He  came  over  and  gave  directions  for  cloth- 
ing the  sufferers,  who  were  destitute  of  every  thing. 

Unremitting  exertions  were  used  daily  for  the  recovery 
of  the  goods  and  specie,  but  without  success,  as  none  of 
the  cargo,  and  but  a  small  part  of  the  materials  of  the 
26 


302  REMARKABLE   SHrFWKECKS. 

vessel,  were  saved,  together  with  property  in  specie  to 
the  amount  of  about  five  thousand  pounds. 

The  following  is  a  correct  list  of  the  crew  and  passen- 
gers. 

Crew.  John  Williams,  captain,  drowned;  Henry 
Cammyer,  first  mate,  saved;  Edward  Smith,  second 
mate,  drowned  ;  William  Hyate,  boatswain,  saved  ;  Al- 
exander Adams,  carpenter,  Harman  Nelson,  Harrnan 
Richardson,  Henry  Whittrell,  William  Trisserly,  James 
Wiley,  Robert  McLellan,  and  Thomas  Goodman, 
drowned  ;  John  Simson,  John  Richards,  Francis  Bloom, 
and  Ebenezer  Warner,  saved ;  Samuel  Wilson  and  Wil- 
liam Snow,  boys,  drowned ;  William  Dockwood,  drown- 
ed, body  found  and  interred;  Hierom  Raymond,  saved; 
Lloyd  Potter,  Samuel  Penny,  stewards,  and  Francis 
Isaac,  boy,  blacks,  all  drowned ;  Thomas  Hill  and  Adam 
Johnson,  cooks,  blacks,  both  drowned,  bodies  found  and 
interred. 

Cabin  Passengers.  W.  Everhart,  Esq.,  of  Chester, 
Penn.,  saved;  lieutenant-colonel  Augustine  J.  Prevost, 
major  William  Gough,  of  the  68th  regiment ;  Rev.  G. 
R.  G.  Hill,  last  from  Jamaica;  Nelson  Ross,  of  Troy, 
N.  Y. ;  William  H.  D wight,  of  Boston  ;  Mr.*Beynon,  of 
London;  professor  Fisher,  of  New-Haven  college;  Mr. 
William  Proctor,  of  New  York;  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hyde 
Clark,  Mrs.  Pye  and  Miss  Powell,  of  Canada,  daughter 
of  Judge  Powell,  all  drowned,  found  and  interred ;  Mr. 
A.  B.  Convers,  of  Troy,  N.  Y.,  and  madame  Gardiner 
and  son,  of  Paris,  drowned ;  (rnadame  G.'s  body  was 
found  and  interred  :)  five  French  gentlemen,  names  un- 
known, (except  Mr.  Victor  Millicent,)  drowned,  found 
and  interred. 

Steerage  Passengers.  Stephen  Chase,  of  Canada, 
saved ;  Mrs.  Mary  Brereton,  and  Mary  Hunt,  drowned, 
found  and  interred ;  Mr.  Harrison,  carpenter,  Mr.  Bald- 
win, cotton  spinner,  from  Yorkshire,  England,  and  Dr. 
Carver,  a  veterinary  surgeon,  drowned. 

Four  bodies  were  also  found  and  interred  that  could 
not  be  recognised. 

The  following  account  of  the  wreck  of  the  Albion  was 


tOSS  OF  THE  SHIP  ALBION.  303 

communicated  to  the  editor  of  the  Tillage  Record,  of 
Chester,  Pennsylvania,  by  William  Everhart,  Esq.,  after 
his  return  to  the  United  States.  Mr.  Everhart,  it  will  be 
recollected,  was  the  only  cabin  passenger  who  was  sav- 
ed, out  of  twenty- three  persons.  As  his  statement  affords 
some  additional  particulars  of  the  disaster  that  may  be 
interesting,  we  publish  it  entire. 

Mr.  Everhart  says,  that  up  to  the  21st  of  April,  the 
voyage  had  been  prosperous  and  pleasant  for  the  season, 
though  he  had  himself  suffered  much  from  sea-sickness, 
and  was  almost  constantly  confined  to  his  room.  The 
storm  of  the  day,  it  was  supposed,  was  over ;  they  were 
near  to  the  coast,  and  all  hands  flattered  themselves  that 
in  a  short  time,  they  should  reach  their  destined  harbor  ; 
but,  about  nine  o'clock  in  the  evening,  a  heavy  sea  struck 
the  ship,  swept  several  seamen  from  the  deck,  carried 
away  her  masts,  and  stove  in  her  hatchways,  so  that 
every  wave  which  passed  over  her,  ran  into  the  hold 
without  any  thing  to  stop  it, — the  railings  were  carried 
away,  and  the  wheel  which  aided  them  to  steer.  In 
short,  that  fatal  wave  left  the  Albion  a  wreck.  She  was 
then  about  twenty  miles  from  the  shore,  and  captain 
Williams  steadily  and  coolly  gave  his  orders  ;  he  cheer- 
ed the  passengers  and  grew  with  the  hope  that  the  wind 
would  shift,  and  before  morning  blow  off  shore.  The 
sea  was  very  rough,  and  the  vessel  unmanageable ;  and 
the  passengers  were  obliged  to  be  tied  to  the  pumps,  that 
they  might  work  them.  All  who  could  do  no  good  on 
deck,  retired  below,  but  the  water  was  knee  deep  in  the 
cabin,  and  the  furniture  floating  about,  rendered  the 
situation  dangerous  and  dreadful. 

All  night  long,  the  wind  blew  a  gale,  directly  on  shore, 
towards  which  the  Albion  was  drifting,  at  the  rate  of 
about  three  miles  an  hour.  The  complete  hopelessness 
of  their  situation  was  known  to  few  except  captain  Wil- 
liams. The  coast  was  familiar  to  him ;  and  he  must 
have  seen  in  despair  and  horror,  throughout  the  night, 
the  certainty  of  their  fate.  At  length,  the  ocean,  dashing 
and  roaring  upon  the  precipice  of  rocks,  told  them  that 
their  hour  was  come*  Captain  Williams  summoned  all 


304  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

on  deck,  and  briefly  told  them  that  the  ship  must  soon 
strike ;  it  was  impossible  to  preserve  her.  Mr.  Everhart 
says,  that  he  was  the  last  that  left  the  cabin.  Professor 
Fisher  was  behind,  but  he  is  confident  that  he  never 
came  on  deck,  but  perished  below.  Some,  particularly 
the  females,  expressed  their  terror  in  wild  shrieks.  Ma- 
jor Gough,  of  the  British  army,  remarked,  that  "  death, 
come  as  he  would,  was  an  unwelcome  messenger,  but 
that  they  must  meet  him  like  men."  Very  little  wa? 
said  by  the  others ;  the  men  waited  the  expected  shock 
in  silence.  General  Lefevre  Desnouetts,  during  the 
voyage,  had  evidently  wished  to  remain  without  particu- 
lar observation;  and  to  prevent  his  being  known,  be- 
sides taking  passage  under  a  feigned  name,  had  suffered 
his  beard  to  grow  during  the  whole  voyage.  He  had 
the  misfortune,  before  the  ship  struck,  to  be  much  bruis- 
ed, and  one  of  his  arms  was  broken,  which  disabled 
him  from  exertion  if  it  could  have  been  availing.  It  is 
not  possible  to  conceive  the  horrors  of  their  situation. 

The  deadly  and  relentless  blast  impelling  them  to  de- 
struction ;  the  ship  a  wreck ;  the  raging  of  the  billows 
against  the  precipice,  on  which  they  were  driving,  send- 
ing back  from  the  caverns  and  the  rocks,  the  hoarse  and 
melancholy  warnings  of  death,  dark,  cold,  and  wet !  In 
such  a  situation  the  stoutest  heart  must  have  quaked  in 
utter  despair.  When  there  is  a  ray  of  hope,  there  may 
be  a  corresponding  buoyance  of  spirit.  When  there  is 
any  thing  to  be  done,  the  active  man  may  drown  the 
sense  of  danger  while  actively  exerting  himself;  but 
here  there  was  nothing  to  do  but  to  die  !  Just  at  the 
gray  of  dawn  the  Albion  struck. 

The  perpendicular  precipice  of  rocks  is  nearly  two 
hundred  feet  in  height ;  the  sea  beating  for  ages  against 
it  has  worn  large  caverns  in  its  base,  into  which  the 
waves  rushed  violently,  sending  back  a  deep  and  hollow 
sound,  then,  running  out  in  various  directions,  formed 
whirlpools  of  great  violence.  For  a  perch  or  two  from 
the  precipice,  rocks  rise  out  of  the  water,  broad  at  bot- 
tom and  sharp  at  top ;  on  one  of  these,  the  Albion  first 
struck,  the  next  wave  threw  her  fu  rther  on  the  rock,  the 


tOSS  OF  THE  SHIP  ALBION.  305 

third  further  still,  until,  nearly  balanced,  she  swung 
round,  and  her  stern  was  driven  against  another,  near  in 
shore.  In  this  situation,  every  wave  making  a  complete 
breach  over  her,  many  were  drowned  on  deck.  A  wo- 
man, Mr.  Everhart  could  not  distinguish  who,  fell  near 
him  and  cried  for  help.  He  left  his  hold  and  raised  her 
up, — another  wave  came,  but  she  was  too  far  exhausted 
to  sustain  herself,  and  sank  on  the  deck.  Fifteen  or 
sixteen  corpses,  at  one  time,  Mr.  Everhart  thought,  lay 
near  the  bows  of  the  ship. 

Perceiving  now  that  the  stern  was  higher  out  of  water, 
and  the  sea  had  less  power  in  its  sweep  over  it,  Mr. 
Everhart  went  aft.  He  now  perceived  that  the  bottom 
had  been  broken  out  of  the  ship.  The  heavy  articles 
must  have  sunk,  and  the  cotton  and  lighter  articles  were 
floating  around,  dashed  by  every  wave  against  the  rocks. 
Presently  the  ship  broke  in  two,  and  all  those  who  re- 
mained near  the  bow  were  lost.  Several  from  the  stem 
of  the  ship  had  got  on  the  side  of  the  precipice,  and  were 
hanging  by  the  crags  as  well  as  they  could.  Al though 
weakened  by  previous  sickness  and  present  suffering, 
Mr.  Everhart  made  an  effort  and  got  upon  the  rock  and 
stood  upon  one  foot,  the  only  hold  that  he  could  obtain. 
He  saw  several  a  round  him,  and  among  the  rest,  colonel 
Prevost,  who  observed,  on  seeing  him  take  his  station, 
"  here  is  another  poor  fellow."  But  the  waves,  rolling 
heavily  against  them,  and  often  dashing  the  spray  fifty> 
feet  above  their  heads,  gradually  swept  those  who  had 
taken  refuge  one  by  one  away ;  and  one  poor  fellow  los- 
ing his  hold,  grasped  the  leg  of  Mr.  Everhart,  and  nearly 
pulled  him  from  his  place.  Weak  and  sick  as  he  was, 
Mr.  Everhart  stoc^d  several  hours  on  one  foot  on  a  little 
crag,  the  billows  dashing  over  him,  and  he  benumbed 
with  cold. 

As  soon  as  it  was  light,  and  the  tide  ebbed  so  as  to 
render  it  possible,  the  people  descended  the  rocks  as  far 
as  they  could,"  and  dropped  him  a  rope,  which  he  fasten- 
ed around  his  bod  y,  and  was  drawn  out  to  a  place  of 
safety.  Of  twent-  /-three  cabin  passengers,  he  alone  es- 
caped !  Mr.  Ever  hart  mentions  numerous  instances  of 
26* 


306  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 

the  kindness  shewn  by  the  people  to  tho  survivors.  A 
sailor  was  drawn  ashore  naked,  and  one  of  the  peasants, 
although  a  cold  rain  was  falling,  took  the  shirt  from  his 
own  back,  and  put  it  on  that  of  the  sufferer.  Mr.  Ever- 
hart  himself  was  taken  to  the  hospitable  mansion'  of  Mr. 
James  B.  Gibbens,  where  he  lay  for  several  weeks  ex- 
ceedingly ill,  receiving  the  kindest  attention.  "  They 
could  not  have  treated  me  more  tenderly,"  said  Mr. 
Everhart,  "  if  1  had  been  a  brother." 

The  attentions  paid  the  survivors,  were  in  the  style 
of  true  Irish  hospitality.  Such  disinterested  kindness 
exalts  the  human  character,  and  is  calculated  to  have 
not  a  limited  effect,  but  will  prove  of  national  advantage. 

This  terrible  wreck  and  loss  of  lives,  and  on  the  part 
of  Mr.  Everhart,  such  a  miraculous  preservation,  excited 
the  public  sensibility  throughout  Euro  pe  and  America. 
When  he  landed  at  Liverpool,  it  was  d  ifficult  for  him  to 
get  along  the  streets,  the  people  crowded  around  in  such 
numbers  to  see  the  'only  passenger  sav  ed  from  the  wreck 
of  the  Albion. 


LOSS  OF  THE  SHIP  LOGAI\T  BY  FIRE. 


^  ship  Logan,  captain  Bunke  r,  was  struck  by 
lightning  and  consumed,  on  her  passage  from  Savannah 
to  Liverpool,  on  the  19th  December,  1832.  The  follow- 
ing account  of  this  dreadful  acciden  t  was  furnished  by 
the  captain. 

The  Logan  left  Tybee  on  the  16t"h  December,  with  a 
fair  wind  from  south,  which  continue  *1  blowing  a  heavy 
gale  from  westward  until  the  19th,  on  which  day,  at 
forty-five  minutes  past  one  o'clock,  P..  M.,  she  was  struck 
by  lightning,  which  descended  the  str  jboard  pump  ;  from 
thence  it  passed  up  the  after-hatch  w  ay  and  went  off.  It 
was  immediately  observed  that  the  s  hip  was  on  fire,  and 
the  crew  commenced  breaking  out  c  otton  from  the  main 
hatchway,  for  the  purpose  of  extir  .guishing  it.  In  the 
course  of  half  an  hour,  got  into  the  i  lower  hold,  and  on 


LOSS  OF  THE  SHIP  LOGAN  BY  FIRE.  307 

the  starboard  side  of  the  pump-well,  found  the  cotton  on 
fire.  They  commenced  throwing  on  water  and  heaving 
the  cotton  overboard,  first  cutting  the  bales  in  pieces. 
After  working  in  this  way  for  some  time,  and  heaving 
overboard  eight  or  ten  bales,  it  was  found  that  the  fire 
was  raging  between  decks  on  the  larboard  side ;  they 
then  left  the  lower  hold,  arid  commenced  breaking  out 
between  decks,  and  in  a  short  time  broke  out  twenty  or 
thirty  bales ;  but  the  smoke  became  so  suffocating  as  to 
oblige  the  hands  to  leave  the  hold  and  close  the  hatches* 

It  was  now  night,  and  the  ship  was  under  close  reefed 
topsails ;  after  all  the  hatches  were  closed  up,  the  upper 
decks  began  to  grow  hot :  with  the  determination,  there- 
fore, to  save  the  ship  and  cargo  if  possible,  holes  were 
cut  around  the  pumps  and  capstan,  and  water  poured 
down,  which  was  continued  all  night.  At  daylight, 
found  that  all  the  upper  deck,  from  the  mainmast  to  the 
after-hatch,  was  on  fire,  and  in  some  places  the  deck  had 
burnt  through.  The  main  hatches  were  taken  off,  and 
about  one  hour  was  spent  in  heaving  down  water,  when 
the  smoke  became  so  dense  that  the  men-  could  stand  it 
no  longer.  The  hatches  were  then  closed  for  the  last 
time,  and  they  continued  throwing  water  through  the 
holes  that  were  cut,  the  fire  still  gaining  so  fast  that  no 
hope  was  left  of  saving  the  ship. 

The  long-boat  was  now  ordered  out,  and  60  gallons  of 
water  and  what  provision  could  be  obtained,  put  on 
board,  when  the  officers  and  crew,  16  in  number,  em- 
barked in  her,  (being  in  lat.  33  N.  long.  66  W.)  having 
saved  nothing  but  a  chronometer  and  quadrant,  and  what 
clothes  they  stood  in.  The  nearest  land  was-  the  island 
of  Bermuda,  which  bore  about  S.  E.,  100  miles  distant, 
which  they  endeavored  to  reach,  but  the  wind  blowing 
heavy  from  W.  S.  W.,  could  not  fetch  it,  but  drifted  to  the 
eastward  of  it,  when  they  fortunately  fell  in  with  the 
Grand  Turk,  and  were  rescued  from  a  watery  grave,  after 
having  been  in  the  boat  five  days,  most  of  which  time  it 
was  blowing  a  gale.  Captain  Madigan  kindly  took  them 
on  board,  and  treated  them  with  every  attention  which 
their  distressed  situation  required. 


LOSS  OF  THE  SHIP  MARGARET, 

OF  Salem,  wrecked  at  sea  on  the  21st  of  May,  1810. 
The  following  account  was  published  by  captain  Fair- 
field,  after  his  arrival  at  Marblehead. 

We  sailed  from  Naples,  homeward  bound,  on  the  10th 
of  April,  with  a  crew,  including  officers,  of  fifteen  in 
number,  together  with  thirty-one  passengers,  making 
forty-six  in  all,  men  and  boys.  We  passed  through  the 
Gut  of  Gibraltar  the  22d  of  April ;  nothing  of  moment 
occurred  until  Sunday,  20th  May,  'when  in  latitude  40, 
north,  longitude  39,  30,  west,  having  strong  breezes  of 
wind  at  S.  E.  and  E.  S.  E.  and  rainy  weather ;  at  10 
A.  M.  took  in  royals,  top-gallant  studding-sails,  fore  and 
mizzen  top-gallant-sails,  jibs,  stay-sails,  and  main-sail ; 
at  meridian,  wind  and  weather  continued  as  before-men- 
tioned ;  at  one  P.  M.,  on  the  21st,  the  foretopmast  studding 
sail  halyards  parted;  the  studding-sail  fell  overboard,  fill- 
ed with  water,  and  carried  away  the  studding-sail  boom ; 
we  took  in  lower  studding-sail  spanker,  and  mizzen  top- 
sail, by  which  time  it  became  squally,  and  we  immedi- 
ately clewed  down  fore  and  main  top-sail,  and  let  fly  the 
sheets — the  wind  shifted  in  an  instant  from  E.  S.  E.  to 
S.  W.,  and  although  the  helm  was  hard  to  weather,  we 
could  not  get  the  ship  before  the  wind,  but  was  instantly 
hove  on  her  beam  ends.  Every  person  on  board  the 
ship  being  at  this  time  on  deck,  reached  either  the  bot- 
tom or  side  of  the  ship,  and  held  on.  We  secured  an 
axe,  and  immediately  cut  away  the  weather  lanyard  of 
the  shrouds,  masts,  and  long-boat,  which  being  done 
the  ship  righted,  being  full  of  water,  her  hatches  off, 
chests,  water-casks,  &c.,  drifting  amongst  the  wreck; 
the  guns,  anchors,  caboose,  and  every  article  on  deck, 
we  hove  overboard  to  lighten  the  ship,  and  endeavored 
to  clear  the  wreck  of  spars,  rigging,  &c.,  which  lay  bea't- 
ing  against  her  to  windward;  bufeour  efforts  were  in 
vain,  the  starboard  lanyards  of  .  th<P|hrouds  being^eep 


\ 


LOSS    OF    THE   SHIP   MARGARET. 

under  water,  and  fast  to.  the  'ship,  and  the  sea  making  a 
continual  breach  over  her :  during  this  time  the  long- 
boat lay  beating  among  the  wreck  of  spars,  &c.,  bottom 
up,  the  pinnace  being  wrecked  entirely  to  pieces  except 
her  keel,  and  about  three  streaks  of  the  boards  of  her 
bottom  lay  in  the  same  situation  as  the  long-boat,  and 
the  stern  boat  lying  at  a  small  distance  from  the  ship; 
full  of  water,  with  her  gunwales  torn  off,  butts  started, 
and  stern  about  half  stove  in.  It  was  with  the  utmost 
difficulty  that  we  bailed  her  out,  and  kept  her  so  far  free 
as  to  enable  us  to  get  a  rope  fast  to  the  long-boat,  by 
which  we  hauled  her  alongside  the  ship,  turned  her 
over  and  found  her  to  be  badly  stove,  her  gunwales  and 
stem  broken  entirely  off,  her  wood-ends  and  garboard 
streak  open,  and  large  holes  in  her  bottom,  so  that  we 
found  it  impossible  to  bail  her  out,  and  we  were  under 
the  necessity  of  upsetting  her  again  in  the  sea,  with  the- 
nope  of  being  able  to  stop  a  part  of  the  holes  in  her  bot- 
tom, which  we  in  part  effected  by  driving  the  butts  to- 
gether and  by  putting  canvass,  &c.,  into  the  largest  holes, 
in  her  bottom;  after  which  we  turned  her  over  again, 
and  by  continual  bailing  with  every  bucket,  &c.,  which 
we  could  procure,  we  were  enabled  to  keep  her  from 
sinking,  still  keeping  under  the  lee  of  the  ship.  By  this 
time  it  was  about  7  P.  M. ;  when  the  boat  being  hauled 
near  to  the  ship  for  the  purpose  of  getthig  canvass  and 
oakum  to  stop  the  leak,  as  many  men  as  could  reach  the 
long-boat  jumped  into  her,  and  finding  the  boat  would 
be  again  sunk  if  we  remained  so  near  the  ship,  we  were 
obliged  to  veer  the  boat  to,  leeward  of  the  ship  at  the  dis- 
tance of  fifteen  or  twenty  fathoms,  bein^  twelve  in  num- 
ber in  the  boat.  We  had  not  been  in  this  situation  but  a 
short  time,  before  one  man  jumped  from  the  ship  into  the 
sea  and  made  for  the  boat ;  we  took  him  in,  but  finding 
that  all  on  board  were  determined  to  pursue  the  same 
plan,  we  were  obliged  to  veer  the  boat  further  off.  We 
stated  to  those  on  board  the  ship  our  situation,  which 
was  also  evident  to  them^as  it  required  all  our  exertions 
to  keep  the  boat  from  sinking.  During  the  night,  we  lay 
with  a  rope  fast  £rom  the  ship  to  the  boat,  and  under 


310  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 

her  lee,  when  the  people  on  board  the  ship  being  exceed- 
ingly anxious  to  get  into  the  boat,  (which  had  they  ef- 
fected we  should  all  have  been  inevitably  lost,)  kept  haul- 
ing the  boat  towards  them ;  we  then  bent  on  another 
rope,  and  veered  out  as  they  hauled ;  but  finding  they 
were  determined  to  sink  the  boat  by  getting  into  her,  we 
were  obliged  (after  stating  repeatedly  to  them  our  situ- 
ation) to  tell  them,  that  provided  they  persisted  in  getting 
into  the  boat,  we  should  be  obliged,  though  very  reluc- 
tantly, to  cut  the  rope  and  leave  them  ;  after  which  they 
desisted  from  hauling  the  boat  towards  the  ship.  At 
this  time,  we  were  thirteen  in  number  in  the  long-boat, 
and  two  men  in  the  stern-boat  lying  under  the  lee  of  the 
ship,  continually  bailing  to  keep  her  from  sinking,  which 
augmented  our  number  to  more  than  could  with  any  de- 
gree of  safety  attempt  to  leave  the  ship,  in  the  long-boat, 
in  the  shattered  condition  she  was  then  in. 

Monday  morning, — moderate  breezes  and  sea  tolera- 
bly smooth ;  at  which  time  the  people  on  the  wreck  were 
about  half  of  them  on  the  taffrel  rail,  and  the  remainder 
on  the  bowsprit  and  windlass,  every  other  part  of  her 
being  under  water  continually.  They  kept  entreating 
us  to  take  them  into  the  boat ;  we  then  told  them  our 
determination  was  to  continue  by  the  ship  while  she 
kept  together,  and  that  the  boat  was  not  in  a  situation  to 
leave  them,  unless  they  attempted  to  come  into  her ;  but 
if  any  of  them  once  made  the  attempt,  we  should  be  un- 
der that  necessity,  notwithstanding  our  wretched  situ- 
ation, having  no  compass,  quadrant,  or  any  instrument 
whatever  by  which  we  could  direct  our  course,  nor  a 
single  drop  of  fresh  water  in  the  boat,  and  two  men  con- 
tinually bailing ;  all  of  which  circumstances  were  known 
to  them. 

About  this  time,  casks  of  brandy  and  sundry  other 
articles  of  the  cargo  were  drifting  from  the  wreck ; 
amongst  which  we  picked  up  the  mizzen  top-gallant 
sail,  two  spars,  five  oars,  one  cask  of  oil,  one  drowned 
pig,  and  one  goat,  one  bag  of  bread,  and  they  hove  us  a 
gallon  keg  of  brandy  from  the  ship;  we  then  fixed  a  sail 
for  the  boat  from  the  mizzen  top-gallant  sail.  It  being 


LOSS  OF  THE  SHIP  MARGARET.          311 

now  about  11,  A.  M.  the  people  on  the  wreck  were  again 
determined  to  get  into  the  boat,  and  began  by  jumping 
into  the  sea.  Seeing  their  intention,  we  veered  the  boat 
further  from  the  ship  and  they  again  returned  to  her, 
after  which  We  repeated  to  them  our  determination  to 
continue  by  them  so  long  as  the  ship  held  together,  but 
if  any  other  person  attempted  to  come  into  the  boat,  we 
should  that  instant  leave  them,  notwithstanding  our  des- 
perate situation.  At  this  time  they  had  secured  on  the 
wreck,  two  quadrants,  two  compasses,  one  hogshead  of 
water,  bread,  flour,  and  a  plenty  of  provisions,  as  they 
frequently  informed  us ;  but  they  would  not  spare  us 
any  of  these  articles  unless  we  consented  to  come  along- 
side the  ship  with  the  boat,  which  had  we  done,  we 
should  have  been  sunk  in  an  instant,  as  they  were  pre- 
pared to  jump,  having  oars,  chests,  &c.,  ready  for  the 
purpose  on  the  taffrel  rail.  Notwithstanding  they  knew 
our  determination  and  the  impossibility  of  our  taking 
them  into  the  boat,  they  still  persisted  in  trying  to  get 
into  her,  and  one  of  them  jumped  into  the  sea  and  made 
for  the  small  boat,  which  lay  veered  to  the  leeward  of  the 
ship,  which  he  reached ;  but  finding  we  would  not  take 
him  into  the  long-boat,  he  returned  to  the  ship  with  the 
small  boat.  As  they  were  now  all  determined  to  pursue 
the  same  plan,  we  were  under  the  painful  necessity  of 
cutting  the  rope  by  which  we  were  fast  to  the  ship,  and 
row  and  sail  from  them  for  the  preservation  of  our  lives, 
in  the  hope  of  falling  in  with  some  vessel  to  relieve  us, 
which  was  almost  the  only  hope  we  had  left,  being  about 
four  hundred  miles  distant  from  the  nearest  land,  and  in 
the  desperate  situation  before  stated.  At  this  time,  it 
was  about  meridian,  with  moderate  wind  from  the  south- 
ward and  westward ;  we  made  our  course  as  nearly  east 
as  possible,  for  the  island  of  Corvo  or  Flores,  and  the 
last  we  saw  of  the  ship  she  was  lying  in  the  same  situ- 
ation as  when  we  parted  from  her.  '  We  continued  our 
course  to  the  eastward,  having  the  winds  variable  from 
S.  S.  E.  to  N.  W.,  and  two  men  constantly  bailing ; 
steering  in  the  night  by  the  stars,  when  to  be  seen,  and 
in  dark  cloudy  weather  by  the  heaving  of  the  sea,  and  in 


REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

the  daytime,  by  judging  from  the  bearing  of  the  sun, 
when  to  be  seen,  and  when  not,  by  the  best  of  our  judg- 
ment. For  four  days  we  continued  in  this  situation 
without  seeing  any  vessel ;  but  on  Saturday,  26th  of 
May,  at  one  P.  M.,  to  our  great  joy  we  espied  a  sail, 
which  proved  to  be  the  brig  Poacher,  of  Boston,  captain 
James  Dunn,  from  Alicant,  who  took  us  on  board  and 
treated  us  with  every  attention  and  civility. 

As  nothing  was  afterwards  heard  of  the  vessel,  all  that 
remained  on  the  wreck,  (thirty-one  in  number,)  un- 
doubtedly perished. 


BURNING  OF  THE  KENT. 

THE  Kent,  captain  Henry  Cobb,  a  fine  new  ship  of 
one  thousand  three  hundred  and  fifty  tons,  bound  to 
Bengal  and  China,  left  the  Downs  on  the  19th  of  Febru- 
ary, with  twenty  officers,  three  hundred  and  forty-four 
soldiers,  forty-three  women,  and  sixty-six  children,  be- 
longing to  the  thirty-first  regiment ;  with  twenty  private 
passengers,  and  a  crew  (including  officers)  of  one  hun- 
dred and  forty-eight  men,  on  board. 

On  the  night  of  Monday,  the  28th  of  February,  1827, 
when  the  Kent  was  in  latitude  47  degrees  30  minutes, 
longitude  10  degrees,  a  violent  gale  blew  from  the  west, 
and  gradually  increased  during  the  following  morning. 
The  rolling  of  the  vessel  became  tremendous  about  mid- 
night, so^  that  the  best  fastened  articles  of  furniture  in 
the  principal  cabins  were  dashed  about  with  violence, 
and  the  main-chains  were  thrown  at  every  lurch  under 
water. 

It  was  a  little  before  this  period,  that  one  of  the  offi- 
cers of  the  ship,  with  the  well-meant  intention  of  ascer- 
taining that  all  was  fast  below,  descended  with  two  of 
the  sailors  into  the  hold,  where  they  carried  with  them, 
for  safety,  a  light  in  the  patent  lantern  ;  and  seeing  that 
the  lamp  burned  dimly,  the  officer  took  the  precaution  to 
hand  it  up  the  orlop-deck  to  be  trimmed.  Having  after- 


BURNING  OF  THE  KENT.  313 

Wards  discovered  one  of  the  spirit  casks  fo  be  adrift,  he 
sent  the  sailors  for  some  billets  of  wood  to  secure  it;  but 
the  ship  in  'their  absence  having  made  a  heavy  lurch, 
the  officer  unfortunately  dropped  the  light ;  and  letting 
go  his  hold  of  the  cask  in  his  eagerness  to  recover  the 
lantern,  it  suddenly  stove,  and  the  spirits  communicating 
with  the  lamp,  the  whole  place  was  instantly  in  a  blaze. 

It  so  happened  that  the  author  went  into  the  cuddy 
to  observe  the  state  of  the  barometer,  when  he  received 
from  captain  Spence,  the  captain  of  the  day,  the  alarm- 
ing information  that  the  ship  was  on  fire  in  the  after 
hold. 

As  long  as  the  devouring  element  appeared  to  be  con- 
fined to  the  spot  where  the  fire  originated,  and  which 
We  were  assured  was  surrounded  on  all  sides  by  water 
casks,  we  ventured  to  cherish  hopes  that  it  might  be 
subdued  ;  but,  no  sooner  was  the  light  blue  vapor  that  at 
first  arose  succeeded  by  volumes  of  thick  dingy  smoke, 
which  speedily  ascended  through  all  the  four  hatchways, 
rolling  over  every  part  of  the  ship,  than  all  farther  con- 
pealment  became  impossible,  and  almost  all  hope  of  pre- 
serving the  vessel  was  abandoned.  "  The  flames  have 
reached  the  cable  tier,"  was  exclaimed  by  some  indi- 
viduals, and  the  strong  pitchy  smell  that  pervaded  the 
deck  confirmed  the  truth  of  the  exclamation. 

In  these  awful  circumstances,  captain  Cobb,  with  an 
ability  and  decision  of  character  that  seemed  to  increase 
with  the  imminence  of  the  danger,  resorted  to  the  only 
alternative  now  left  him,  of  ordering  the  lower  deck  to 
be  scuttled,  the  combing  of  the  hatches  to  be  cut,  and 
the  lower  ports  to  be  op^ed,  for  the  free  admission  of 
the  waves. 

These  instructions  were  speedily  executed  by  the  unit- 
ed efforts  of  the  troops  and  seamen  :  but  not  before  some 
of  the  sick  soldiers,  one  woman,  and  several  children, 
unable  to  gain  the  upper  deck,  had  perished.  On  de- 
scending to  the  gun-deck  with  colonel  Fearon,  captain 
Bray,  and  one  or  two  other  officers  of  the  3lst  regiment, 
to  assist  in  opening  the  ports,  I  met,  staggering  towards 
the  hatchway,  in  an  exhausted  and  nearly  senseless 
27 


314  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

state,  one  of  the  mates,  who  informed  us  that  he  had 
just  stumbled  over  th'e  dead  bodies  of  some  individuals 
who  must  have  died  from  suffocation,  to  which  it  was 
evident  that  he  himself  had  almost  fallen  a  victim.  So 
dense  and  oppressive  was  the  smoke,  that  it  was  with 
the  utmost  difficulty  we  could  remain  long  enough  be- 
low to  fulfil  captain  Cobb's  wishes;  which  were  no 
sooner  accomplished  than  the  sea  rushed  in  with  extra- 
ordinary force,  carrying  away  in  its  resistless  progress 
to  the  hold,  the  largest  chests,  bulk-heads,  &c. 

On  the  one  hand  stood  death  by  fire,  on  the  other, 
death  by  water :  the  dilemma  was  dreadful.  Preferring 
always  the  more  remote  alternative,  the  unfortunate 
crew  were  at  one  moment  attempting  to  check  the  fire 
by  means  of  water ;  and  when  the  water  became  the 
most  threatening  enemy,  their  efforts  were  turned  to  the 
exclusion  of  the  waves,  and-  the  fire  was  permitted  to 
rage  with  all  its  fury. 

The  scene  of  horror  that  now  presented  itself,  baffles 
all  description.  The  upper  deck  was  covered  with  be- 
tween six  and  seven  hundred  human  beings,  many,  of 
whom,  from  previous  sea-sickness,  were  forced  on  the 
first  alarm  to  flee  from  below  in  a  state  of  absolute  na- 
kedness, and  were  now  running  about  in  quest  of  hus- 
bands, children  or  parents. 

While  some  were  standing  in  silent  resignation,  or  in 
stupid  insensibility  to  their  impending  fate,  others  were 
yielding  themselves  up  to  the  most  frantic  despair. 
Some  on  their  knees  were  earnestly  imploring,"  with 
significant  gesticulations  and  in  noisy  supplications,  the 
mercy  of  Him,  whose  arm,  tl|ey  exclaimed,  was  at  length 
outstretched  to  smite  them ;  others  were  to  be  seen  has- 
tily crossing  themselves,  and  performing  the  various  ex- 
ternal acts  required  by  their  peculiar  persuasion,  while 
a  number  of  the  older  and  'more  stout-hearted  sailors 
suddenly  took  their  seats  directly  over  the  magazine, 
hoping,  as  they  stated,  that  by  means  of  the  explosion, 
which  they  every  instant  expected,  a  speedier  termina- 
tion might  thereby  be  put  to  their  sufferings. 

Captain  Cobb,    with  great  forethought,  ordered  the 


BURNING  OF  THE  KENT.  315 

deck  to  be  scuttled  forward,  with  a  view  to  draw  the 
fire  in  that  direction,  knowing  that  between  it  and  the 
magazine  were  several  tiers  of  water  casks ;  while  he 
hoped  that  the  wet  sails,  &c.,  thrown  into  the  after-hold, 
would  prevent  it  from  communicating  with  the  spirit- 
room  abaft. 

Several  of  the  soldiers'  wives  and  children,  who  had 
fled  for  temporary  shelter  into  the  after-cabins  on  the 
upper  deck,  were  engaged  in  praying  and  in  reading  the 
scriptures  with  the  ladies,  some  of  whom  were  enabled, 
with  wonderful  self-possession,  to  offer  to  others  those 
spiritual  consolations,  which  a  firm  and  intelligent  trust 
in  the  Redeemer  of  the  world  appeared  at  this  awful 
hour  to  impart  to  their  own  breasts. 

All  hope  had  departed  !  the  employment  of  the  diffe- 
rent individuals  indicated  utter  despair  of  rescue — one 
was  removing  a  lock  of  hair  from  his  writing  desk  to 
his  bosom — others  were  awaiting  their  fate  in  stupor — 
some  with  manly  fortitude — others  bewailing  it  with 
loud  and  bitter  lamentation — and  part  were  occupied  in 
prayer  and  mutual  encouragement. 

It  was  at  this  appalling  instant,  when  "all  hope  that 
we  should  be  saved  was  taken  away,"  that  it  occurred 
to  Mr.  Thompson,  the  fourth  mate,  to  send  a  man  to  the 
foretop,  rather  with  the  ardent  wish  than  the  expecta- 
tion, that  some  friendly  sail  might  be  discovered  on  the 
face  of  the  waters.  The  sailort  on  mounting,  threw  his 
eyes  round  the  horizon  for  a  moment — a  moment  of  un- 
utterable suspense — and  waving  his  hat,  exclaimed,  "  A 
sail  on  the  lee-bow !"  The  joyful  announcement  was 
received  with  deep-felt  thanksgiving,  and  with  three 
cheers  upon  deck.  Our  flags  of  distress  were  instantly 
hoisted,  and  our  minute  guns  fired  :  and  we  endeavored 
to  bear  down  under  our  three  topsails  and  foresail  upon 
the  stranger,  which  afterwards  proved  to  be  the  Cam- 
bria, a  small  brig  of  two  hundred  tons  burden,  captain 
Cook,  bound  to  Vera  Cruz,  having  on  board  twenty  or 
thirty  Cornish  miners,  and  other  agents  of  the  Anglo- 
Mexican  company. 

While  captain  Cobb,  colonel  Fearon,  and  major  Mac- 


316  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 

gregor  of  the  31st  regiment,  were  consulting  together,  as 
the  brig  was  approaching  us,  on  the  necessary  prepa- 
rations for  getting  out  the  boats,  &c.,  one  of  the  officers 
asked  major  Macgregor  in  what  order  it  was  intended 
the  officers  should  move  off?  to  which  the  other  replied, 
"  Of  course,  the  funeral  order ;"  which  injunction  was 
instantly  confirmed  by  colonel  Fearon,  who  said,  "  Most 
undoubtedly  the  juniors  first — but  see  that  any  man  is 
cut  down  who  presumes  to  enter  the  boats  before  the 
means  of  escape  are  presented  to  the  women  and  chil- 
dren." 

Arrangements  having  been  considerately  made  T)y 
captain  Cobb  for  placing  in  the  first  boat,  previous  to 
letting  it  down,  all  the  ladies,  and  as  many  of  the  sol- 
diers' wives  as  it  could  safely  contain,  they  hurriedly 
wrapt  themselves  up  in  whatever  article  of  clothing 
could  be  most  conveniently  found ;  and  I  think  about 
two,  or  half  past  two  o'clock,  a  most  mournful  procession 
advanced  from  the  after  cabins  to  the  starboard  cud- 
dy-port, outside  of  which  the  cutter  was  suspended. 
Scarcely  a  word  was  heard — not  a  scream  was  uttered — 
even  the  infants  ceased  to  cry,  as  if  conscious  of  the  un- 
spoken and  unspeakable  anguish  that  was  at  this  in- 
stant rending  the  hearts  of  the  parting  parents — nor  was 
the  silence  of  voices  in  any  way  broken,  except  in  one 
or  two  cases,  when  the  ladies  plaintively  entreated  to  be 
left  behind  with  their  husbands.  But  on  being  assured 
that  every  moment's  delay  might  occasion  the  sacrifice 
of  human  life,  they  successively  suffered  themselves  to 
be  torn  from  the  tender  embrace,  and  with  a  fortitude 
which  never  fails  to  characterize  and  adorn  their  sex  on 
occasions  of  overwhelming  trial,  were  placed,  without  a 
murmur,  in  the  boat,  which  was  immediately  lowered 
into  a  sea  so  tempestuous,  as  to  leave  us  only  "  to  hope 
against  hope"  that  it  should  live  in  it  for  a  single  moment. 
Twice  the  cry  was  heard  from  those  on  the  chains  that 
the  boat  was  swamping.  But  He  who  enabled  the  apos- 
le  Peter  to  walk  on  the  face  of  the  deep,  and  was  gra- 
ciously attending  to  the  silent  but  earnest  aspirations  of 
those  on  board,  had  decreed  its  safety. 


BURNING  OF  THE  KENT.  31 

After  one  or  two  unsuccessful  attempts  to  place  the 
little  frail  bark  fairly  upon  the  surface  of  the  water,  the 
command  was  at  length  given  to  unhook ;  the  tackle  at 
the  stern  was  in  consequence  immediately  cleared ;  but 
the  ropes  at  the  bow  having  got  foul,  the  sailor  there 
found  it  impossible  to  obey  the  order.  In  vain  was  the 
axe  applied  to  the  entangled  tackle.  The  moment  was 
inconceivably  "ntical ;  as  the  boat,  which  necessarily 
followed  the  nfc.aon  of  the  ship,  was  gradually  rising  out 
of  the  wjater,  and  must,  'in  another  instant,  have  been 
hanging  perpendicularly  by  the  bow,  and  its  helpless 
passengers  launched  into  the  deep,  had  not  a  most  provi- 
dential wave  suddenly  struck  and  lifted  up  the  stern,  so 
as  to  enable  the  seaman  to  disengage  the  tackle ;  and 
the  boat  being  dexterously  cleared  from  the  ship,  was 
seen  after  a  little  while  battling  with  the  billows ;  now 
raised,  in  its  progress  to  the  brig,  like  a  speck  on  their 
summit,  and  then  disappearing  for  several  seconds,  as 
if  engulphed  "in  the  horrid  vale"  between  them. 

Two  or  three  soldiers,  to  relieve  their  wives  of  a  part 
of  their  families,  sprang  into  the  water  with  their  chil- 
dren, and  perished  in  their  endea-vors  to  save  them. 
One  young  lady,  who  had  resolutely  refused  to  quit  her 
father,  whose  sense  of  duty  kept  him  at  his  post,  was 
near  falling  a  sacrifice  to  her  filial  devotion,  not  having 
been  picked  up  by  those  in  the  boats,  until  she. had  sunk 
five  or  six  times.  Another  individual,  who  was  reduced 
to  the  frightful  alternative  of  losing  his  wife,  or  his  chil- 
dren, hastily  decided  in  favor  of  his  duty  to  the  former. 
His  wife  was  accordingly  saved,  but  his  four  children, 
alas  !  were  left  to  perish.  A  fine  fellow,  a  soldier,  who 
had  neither  wife  nor  child  of  his  own,  but  who  evinced 
the  greatest  solicitude  for  the  safety  of  those  of  others, 
insisted  on  having  three  children  lashed  to  him,  with 
whom  he  plunged  into  the  water ;  not  being  able  to 
reach  the  boat,  he  Avas  drawn  again  into  the  ship  with 
his  charge,  but  not  before  two  of  the  children  had  ex- 
pired. One  man  fell  down  the  hatchway  into  the  flames, 
and  another  had  his  back"  so  completely  broken  as  to 
have  been  observed  quite  doubled  falling  overboard. 


318  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 

The  numerous  spectacles  of  individual  loss  and  suffering 
were  not  confined  to  the  entrance  upon  the  perilous  voy- 
age between  the  two  ships.  One  man,  who  fell  between 
the  boat  and  brig,  had  his  head  literally  crushed  fine — 
and  some  others  were  lost  in  their  attempts  to  ascend 
the  sides  of  the  Cambria. 

When  the  greater  part  of  the  men  had  been  disposed 
of,  the  gradual  removal  of  the  officers  commenced,  and 
was  marked  by  a  discipline  the  most  rigid,  and  an  intre- 
pidity the  most  exemplary  :  none  appearing  to  ,be  influ- 
enced by  a  vain  and  ostentatious  bravery,  which  in  cases 
of  extreme  peril,  affords  rather  a  presumptive  proof  of 
secret  timidity  than  of  fortitude ;  nor  any  betraying  un- 
manly or  unsoldier-like  impatience  to  quit  the  ship;  but 
with  the  becoming  deportment  of  men  neither  paralyzed 
by,  nor  profanely  insensible  to,  the  accumulating  dan- 
gers that  encompassed  them,  they  progressively  departed 
in  the  different  boats  with  their  soldiers; — they  who 
happened  to  proceed  first,  leaving  behind  them  an  exam- 
ple of  coolness  that  could  not  be  unprofitable  to  those 
who  followed. 

Every  individual  was  desired  to  tie  a  rope  round  his 
waist.  While  the  people  were  busily  occupied  in  adopt- 
ing this  recommendation,  I  was  surprised,  I  had  almost 
said  amused,  by  the  singular  delicacy  of  one  of  the  Irish 
recruits,  who  in  searching  for  a  rope  in  one  of  the  cabins, 
called  out  to  me  that  he  could  find  none  except  the  cor- 
dage belonging  to  an  officer's  cot.  and  wished  to  know 
whether  there  would  be  any  harm  in  his  appropriating 
it  to  his  own  use. 

Again :  As  an  agreeable  proof  too,  of  the  subordina- 
tion and  good  feeling  that  governed  the  poor  soldiers 
in  the  midst  of  their  sufferings,  I  ought  to  state  that  to- 
ward the  evening,  when  the  melancholy  group  who 
were  passively  seated  on  the  poop,  exhausted  by  previous 
fatigue,  anxiety  and  fasting,  were  beginning  to  experi- 
ence the  pain  of  intolerable  thirst,  a  box  of  oranges  was 
accidentally  discovered  by  some  of  the  men,  who  with 
a  degree  of  mingled  consideration,  respect,  and  affection, 
that  could  hardly  have  been  expected  at  such  a  moment, 


BURNING  OF  THE  KENT.  819 

refused  to  partake  of  the  grateful  beverage,  until  they 
had  afforded  a  share  of  it  to  their  officers. 

The  spanker-boom  of  so  large  a  ship  as  the  Kent, 
which  projects,  I  should  think,  sixteen  or  eighteen  feet 
over  the  stern,  rests  on  ordinary  occasions  about  nineteen 
or  twenty  feet  above  the  water ;  but  in  the  position  in 
which  we  were  placed,  from  the  great  height  of  the  sea, 
and  consequent  pitching  of  the  ship,  it  was  frequently 
lifted  to  a  height  of  not  less  than  thirty  or  forty  feet  from 
the  surface. 

To  reach  the  rope,  therefore,  that  hung  from  its  ex- 
tremity, was  an  operation  that  seemed  to  require  the  aid 
of  as  much  dexterity  of  hand  as  steadiness  of  head. 
For  it  was  not  only  the  nervousness  of  creeping  along 
the  boom  itself,  or  the  extreme  difficulty  of  afterwards 
seizing  on  and  sliding  down  by  the  rope,  that  we  had  to 
dread,  and  that  occasioned  the  loss  of  some  valuable 
lives,  by  deterring  the  men  from  adopting  this  mode  of 
escape :  but  as  the  boat,  which  one  moment  was  proba- 
bly under  the  boom,  might  be  carried  the  next,  by  the 
force  of  the  waves,  fifteen  or  twenty  yards  from  it,  the 
unhappy  individual,  whose  best  calculations  were  thus 
defeated,  was  generally  left  swinging  for  some  time  in 
mid-air,  if  he  was  not  repeatedly  plunged  several  feet 
under  water,  or  dashed  with  dangerous  violence  against 
the  sides  of  the  returning  boat — or,  what  not  unfrequent- 
ly  happened,  was  forced  to  let  go  his  hold  of  the  rope 
altogether.  As  there  seemed,  however,  no  alternative, 
I  did  not  hesitate,  notwithstanding  my  comparative  in- 
experience and  awkwardness  in  such  a  situation,  to 
throw  my  leg  across  the  perilous  stick  ;  and  with  a  heart 
extremely  grateful  that  such  means  of  deliverance,  dan- 
gerous as  they  appeared,  were  still  extended  to  me  ;  and 
more  grateful  still  that  1  had  been  enabled,  in  common 
with  others,  to  discharge  my  honest  duty  to  my  sove- 
reign and  to  my  fellow-soldiers  ;  I  proceeded,  #ter  confi- 
dently committing  my  spirit,  the  great  object  of  my  soli- 
citude, into  the  keeping  of  Him  who  had  formed  and  re- 
deemed it,  to  creep  slowly  forward,  feeling  at  every  step 
the  increased  difficulty  of  my  situation.  On  getting 


220  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

nearly  to  the  end  of  the  boom,  the  young  officer  whom 
I  followed  and  myself  were  met  with  a  squall  of  wind 
and  rain,  so  violent  as  to  make  us  fain  to  embrace  close- 
ly the  slippery  stick,  without  attempting  for  some  mi- 
nutes to  make  any  progress,  and  to  excite  our  apprehen- 
sion that  we  must  relinquish  all  hope  of  reaching' the 
rope.  But  our  fears  were  disappointed,  and  after  resting 
for  awhile  at  the  boom-end,  while  my  companion  was 
descending  to  the  boat,  which  he  did  not  find  until  he 
had  been  plunged  once  or  twice  over  head  in  the  water, 
I  prepared  to  follow  ;  and  instead  of  lowering  myself,  as 
many  had  imprudently  done,  at  the  moment  when  the 
boat  was  inclining  towards  us — and  consequently  being 
unable  to  descend  the  whole  distance  before  it  again  re- 
ceded— I  calculated  that  while  the  boat  was  retiring,  I 
ought  to  commence  my  descent,  which  would  probably 
be  completed  by  the  time  the  returning  wave  brought  it 
underneath ;  by  which  means  I  was,  I  believe,  almost 
the  only  officer  or  soldier  who  reached  the  boat  without 
being  either  severely  bruised  or  immersed  in  the  water. 
But  my  friend  colonel  Fearon  had  not  been  so  fortunate ; 
for  after  swimming  for  some  time,  and  being  repeatedly 
struck  against  the  side  of  the  boat,  and  at  one  time 
drawn  completely  under  it,  he  was  at  last  so  utterly  ex- 
hausted, that  he  must  instantly  have  let  go  his  hold  of 
the  rope  and  perished,  had  not  one  in  the  boat  seized 
him  by  the  hair  of  the  head  and  dragged  him  into  it, 
almost  senseless  and  alarmingly  bruised. 

Captain  Cobb,  in  his  immovable  resolution  to  be  the 
last,  if  possible,  to  quit  his  ship,  and  in  his  generous 
anxiety  for  the  preservation  of  every  life  entrusted  to  his 
charge,  refused  to  seek  the  boat,  until  he  again  endea- 
vored to  urge  onward  the  few  still  around  him,  who 
seemed  struck  dumb  and  powerless  with  dismay.  But 
finding  all  his  entreaties  fruitless;  and  hearing  the  guns, 
whose  tackle  was  burst  asunder  by  the  advancing 
flames,  successively  exploding  in  the  hold,  into  which 
they  had  fallen— -this  gallant  officer,  after  having  nobly 
pursued,  for  the  preservation  of  others,  a  course  of  exer- 
tion that  has  been  rarely  equalled  either  in  its  duration 


LOSS  OF  THE  SHIP  BOSTON.  321 

or  difficulty,  at  last  felt  it  right  to  provide  for  his  own 
safety,  by  laying  hold  on  the  topping-lift,  or  i-opo  that 
connects  'the  driver-boom  with  the  mizzen-top,  and  there- 
by getting  over  the  heads  of  the  infatuated  men  who  oc- 
cupied the  boom,  unable  to  go  either  backward  or  for- 
ward, and  ultimately  dropping  himself  into  the  water. 


LOSS  OF  THE  SHIP  BOSTON. 

AN  unusual  degree  of  sensation  was  excited  in  Boston, 
on  the  first  of  June,  by  the  melancholy  tidings  of  the 
loss  of  the  packet  ship  Boston.  This  strong  and  elegant 
ship — one  of  the  finest  packets  that  belonged  to  this 
country — was  struck  by  lightning  in  the  Gulf  stream, 
six  days  out  from  Charleston,  and  burnt  to  the  water's 
edge.  We  present  the  details  below,  as  furnished  by 
captain  Mackay. 

"  On  Tuesday,  the  25th  of  May,  lat.  39,  31,  long.  63, 
46,  commenced  with  fresh  breeze  and  squally  weather — 
at  2  P.  M.,  heavy  rain  which  continued  until  about  sun- 
set— at  8  P.  M.,  forked  lightning  in  the  south-west,  and 
dark  and  heavy  clouds  rising  from  the  westward — at  9, 
the  wind  hauled  to  the  westward — at  10  P.  M.,  a  heavy 
cloud  began  to  rise  in  the  south-west — at  half  past  10, 
sharp  lightning,  clewed  up  the  topgallant  sails,  and  haul- 
ed the  mainsail  up — at  11,  heavy  thunder  and  sharp 
lightning ;  the  second  flash  struck  the  ship,  burst  the 
main-royal  from  the  gaskets  and  burnt  it;  knocked 
down  the  steward  and  Isaac  Hopkins,  a  sailor^Jid  filled 
the  ship  full  of  electric  fluid.  We  examined  me  ship 
immediately,  to  ascertain  if  the  masts  were  injured,  or 
the  lightning  had  passed  through  the  deck ;  but  the  mast 
appeared  uninjured,  a  bright  complaisance  resting  on 
each  royal-mast  head.  We  single  reefed  the  main-top 
sail,  and  were  about  to  hand  the  mainsail,  when  we 
ascertained  that  the  ship  was  on  fire.  We  immediately 
cleared  the  main  and  after  hatchways,  to  get  at  the  fire, 
heaving  the  cotton  overboard  and  cutting  holes  in  the 


329  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

deck,  plying  water  in  every  direction — but  all  in  vain  ; 
the  cotton  in  the  main-hold  was  on  fire,  fore  and  aft,  on 
both  sides,  burning  like  tinder.  Our  only  alternative 
was  to  clear  away  the  boats  and  get  them  out,  part  of 
the  crew  and  passengers  at  work  keeping  the  fire  down 
as  much  as  possible  by  drawing  and  heaving  water,  the 
scuppers  being  stopped  up ;  we  stove  water  casks  ovei 
holes  cut  in  the  deck  and  in  the  main-hatchway,  start- 
ing the  water,  but  all  to  no  good  purpose,  for  before  we 
could  get  the  long-boat  over  the  ship's  side,  the  fire  had 
burst  through  the  deck  and  out  the  larboard  side  of  the 
ship.  The  flames  raged  with  such  violence  and  con- 
sumed the  vessel  so  quick,  that  nothing  could  be  saved 
from  the  wreck.  We  got  about  forty  gallons  of  water, 
and  provisions  sufficient,  on  a  short  allowance,  to  keep 
the  passengers  and  crew  alive  for  three  weeks — almost 
every  thing  else  was  burnt  up  in  the  ship,  even  the 
money,  watches,  and  clothes — all  destroyed.  At  3,  A.  M., 
the  main  and  mizzen-masts  were  burnt  off  below  deck, 
and  the  masts  fell  into  the  water  ;  at  half  past  3,  the  pas- 
sengers and  crew  were  all  in  the  boats  ;  the  flames  had 
then  reached  the  forecastle,  and  the  ship  was  one  com- 
plete  flame  of  fire,  fore  and  aft.  The  passengers  had 
exerted  themselves  to  the  utmost  to  assist  us.  The  offi- 
cers had  with  unwearied  exertion,  coolness  and  persever- 
ing activity  done  all  that  men  could  do.  The  ship's 
crew  worked  like  horses  and  behaved  like  men;  but 
all  would  not  do.  About  three  hours  time  had  changed 
one  of  the  best  ships  that  ever  swam  to  a  complete  vol- 
cano, and  cast  twenty-three  persons  adrift  on  the  open 
ocean. 

"  The  cabin  passengers  were  admiral  Sir  Isaac  Coffin 
and  servant,  Dr.  William  Boag,  and  his  sister  Miss  An- 
sella  Boag,  Mr.  Neil  McNeil,  and  Mr.  Samuel  S.  Osgood. 
It  was  then  raining,  and  every  person  was  drenched 
through  with  water;  in  this  situation  the  constitution 
of  Miss  Boag,  the  only  lady-passenger,  soon  gave  way. 
This  amiable  young  lady's  firmness  of  conduct  at  the 
first  alarm  of  fire,  and  during  the  whole  scene,  is  worthy 
of  the  highest  praise.  To  the  divine  will  of  her  God 


LOSS  OF  THE  WHALE  SHIP  ESSEX.  323 

she  submitted  without  a  murmur,  and  at  11  o'clock  on 
Wednesday,  she  died  in  the  arms  of  her  brother,  in  the 
boat,  thanking  him  in  the  most  affectionate  manner  for 
his  kindness,  giving  her  blessing  to  us.  all.  On  the  fol- 
lowing day,  she  was  buried  with  the  church  service,  our 
situation  not  admitting  of  the  corpse  being  kept  longer 
in  the  boat.  We  remained  in  the  boats  near  the  fire  of 
the  wreck,  two  days,  and  at  three  o'clock  P.  M.  on 
Thursday,  were  taken  on  board  the  brig  Idas,  of  Liver- 
pool, N.  S.  from  Demarara,  bound  to  Halifax,  captain 
Joseph  Barnaby,  who  with  his  officers  and  crew  treated 
us  with  every  kindness  and  attention.  We  remained 
on  board  the  brig  two  days,  when,  Sunday  morning, 
May  30th,  falling  in  with  the  brig  Camilla,  captain  Ro- 
bert B.  Edes,  he  was  good  enough  to  offer  us  a  passage 
to  Boston,  and  received  us  on  board  his  vessel." 

Admiral  Sir  Isaac  Coffin,  after  landing  from  the  brig 
Camilla,  authorized  his  agent  to  present  captain  Mackay 
with  a  check  for  five  hundred  dollars ;  and  subsequently 
sent  him  an  elegant  gold  watch,  to  replace  one  which  he 
had  lost  by  the  destruction  of  the  ship. 


LOSS  OF  THE  WHALE  SHIP  ESSEX. 

THIS  vessel  sailed  from  Nantucket  on  a  whaling  voy- 
age, commanded  by  captain  Pollard.  On  the  13th  of 
November,  1820,  they  were  among  the  whales,  and  the 
three  boats  were  lowered  .down.  They  succeeded  in 
capturing  a  young  whale,  but  the  mate's  boat  got  stove, 
and  returned  to  the  ship  to  be  repaired.  Shortly  after,  a 
whale  of  the  largest  class,  probably  the  dam  of  the  one 
they  had  just  taken,  struck  the  ship,  knocked  part  of  the 
false  keel  off,  just  abreast  of  the  main  channels. 

The  animal  then  remained  for  some  time  alongside, 
endeavoring  to  clasp  the  ship  within  her  jaws,  but 
could  not  accomplish  it.  She  then  turned,  went  round 
the  stern,  and  came  up  on  the  other  side;  and  went 
away  ahead  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile.  Then  suddenly 


324  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS^ 

turning,  she  came  at  the  ship  with  tremendous  velocity, 
head  on.  The  vessel  was  going  at  the  rate  of  five  knots, 
but  such  Avas  the  force  with  which  she  struck  the  ship, 
which  was  under  the  cat-head,  that  the  vessel  had  stern- 
way,  at  the  rate  of  three  or  four  knots.  The  conse- 
quence was,  that  the  sea  rushed  into  the  cabin  windows, 
every  man  on  deck  was  knocked  down,  and,  worse  than 
all,  the  bows  were  completely  stove  in.  In  a  few  mi- 
nutes, the  vessel  rilled  and  went  on  her  beam  ends. 

At  this  unhappy  juncture,  the  captain  and  second 
mate  were  both  fast  to  a  whale ;  but  on  beholding  the 
awful  catastrophe  that  had  taken  place,  immediately  cut 
from  the  fish  and  made  for  the  ship.  As  soon  as  the 
captain  got  on  board,  he  gave  orders  for  cutting  away 
the  masts,  which  was  accordingly  done,  and  the  vessel 
righted; — the  upper  deck  was  then  scuttled,  and  some 
water  and  bread  were  procured  for  the  two  boats,  in 
which  they  were  compelled  to  remain,  as  all  thoughts  of 
saving  the  ship  were  given  up.  In  expectation  of  falling 
in  with  some  vessel,  they  remained  by  the  wreck,  mak- 
ing sails,  &c.,  but  were  finally  compelled  to  abandon  it, 
and  stood  away  to  the  southward,  in  hopes  of  getting 
the  variable  winds,  and  experiencing  fine  weather;  but 
the  wind  being  constantly  from  the  east  and  south-east, 
they  made  much  lee-way  and  were  prevented  from 
keeping  to  the  southward.  They  continued  beating 
about  in  this  way  for  thirty  days,  when  they  made  afi 
island,  which  they  took  for  Ducie's  island,  at  which 
place  the  boats  remained  one  week ;  but  the  island 
affording  hardly  any  nourishment,  and  in  fact,  exhibit- 
ing nothing  but  sterility,  they  resolved  on  venturing 
for  the  coast;  leaving  behind  them  three  men  who  pre- 
ferred remaining  there,  rather  than  to  venture  across  the 
ocean  in  an  open  boat. 

After  a  series  of  disasters,  a  part  of  the  crew  finally 
reached  Valparaiso.  Captain  Dowries,  of  the  U.  S.  fri- 
gate Macedonian,  on  becoming  acquainted  with  the  par- 
ticulars, resolved  to  rescue  the  three  unfortunate  men. 
who  were  left  behind  on  the  island.  Accordingly  he 
fitted  out  a  schooner,  at  an  expense  of  a  thousand  dollars, 


LOSS  OF  THE  WHALE  SHIP  ESSEX.  325 

and  sent  her  in  search  for  them.  She  was  out,  however, 
but  one  month,  and  returned  dismasted.  The  ship  Sur- 
rey, captain  Raine,  lying  at  Valparaiso,  was  on  the  eve 
of  sailing  for  New  Holland,  and  as  Ducie's  island  was 
not  far  from  her  track,  captain  Downes  offered  her  com- 
mander three  hundred  dollars,  to  call  there  and  take  off 
the  men. 

On  Thursday,  the  5th  of  April,  captain  Raine,  consi- 
dering himself  within  a  short  distance  of  Ducie's  island, 
which  is  laid  down  in  Norie's  epitome  to  be  in  lat.  24 
degrees  40  minutes  S.  and  long.  124  deg.  17  minutes  W., 
kept  a  good  look  out.  About  2,  P.  M.,  land  was  per- 
ceived, which  turned  out  to  be  an  island  in  lat.  24  deg. 
26  minutes.  As  the  vessel  neared  the  land,  they  dis- 
charged a  gun,  and  shortly  after,  the  three  poor  men 
were  seen  to  issue  from  the  woods.  The  boats  were 
piesently  lowered,  captain  Raine  taking  one  himself. 
On  approaching  the  shore,  it  was  found  not  only  danger- 
ous, but  utterly  impracticable  to  land  ;  of  which  circum- 
stance they  were  informed,  in  weak  and  tremulous 
voices,  by  the  almost  starved  and  nearly  worn  out  crea- 
tures themselves,  who  could  scarcely,  from  the  misera- 
ble plight  they  were  in,  articulate  a  syllable.  One  poor 
fellow  summoned  up  courage  enough  to  plunge  into  the 
waves,  and  with  great  difficulty  reached  the  boat:- he 
said,  one  of  the  others  only  could  swim. 

After  warily  backing  the  boat  as  near  the  rocks  as 
possible,  amidst  a  heavy  surf,  the  other  two  men  suc- 
ceeded in  getting  on  board,  much  bruised  and  lacerated 
by  the  repeated  falls ;  which  object  was  no  sooner  effect- 
ed, when  each  devoutly  expressed  his  gratitude  to  that 
benign  Being  who  had  so  wonderfully  preserved  them 
from  sharing  in  the  destruction  to  which  most  of  their 
unhappy  shipmates  had  fallen  victims.  They  had  been 
on  the  island  four  months,  living  on  wild  berries,  resem- 
bling a  cherry,  sometimes  killing  a  sea-gull  by  throwing 
stones,  and  no  fresh  water  but  when  it  rained,  which 
was  very  seldom.  On  the  island  they  discovered  the 
name  of  the  ship  Elisabeth,  of  London,  carved  on  a  tree, 
and  a  cave,  with  eight  human  skeletons,  lying  together. 
28 


LOSS  OF  THE  ISABELLA,  OFF  HASTINGS, 
ENGLAND. 

THE  details  below  were  furnished  by  one  of  the  pas- 
sengers, in  a  letter  to  a  friend,  dated 

EASTBOURNE,  March  15,  1S33. 

This  wreck  is  still  visible  ;  she  was  a  fine  ship  of  340 
tons,  and  offers  an  awful  evidence  of  the  power  of  nature 
over  the  noblest  works  of  art.  My  heart  still  sickens 
with  dismay  at  the  recollection  of  the  dreadful  trials  I 
have  passed  through.  I  have  not  before  had  health  and 
strength  enough  to  give  you  an  outline  of  the  particu- 
lars, and,  even  now,  I  tremble  as  they  pass  in  review  be- 
fore me. 

All  our  valuable  furniture,  plate,  books,  manuscripts, 
outfit  and  necessaries  had  been  put  on  board  the  Isabel- 
la in  the  docks,  when  she  dropped  down  to  Gravesead, 
where  I  joined  her  on  the  evening  of  Saturday  the  16th 
of  February,  with  my  wife  and  three  children,  a  girl 
of  eighteen  months,  and  two  boys  of  four  and  six  years. 
We  were  opposed  by  contrary  winds,  and  put  our  pilot 
on  shore  on  Monday  evening.  On  Tuesday,  the  .wind 
freshened  into  a  gale;  and  the  dreadful  enervating  sick- 
ness usually  attending  these  scenes,  dispossessed  my 
wife  and  myself  of  all  energy  and  strength.  The  wind 
was  now  directly  against  us,  and  every  hour  increasing 
its  fearful  power ;  but  our  captain,  full  of  intrepidity 
and  confidence,  determined  to  proceed,  although  he  left 
behind  a  fleet  of  perhaps  an  hundred  sail.  *As  night 
closed,  the  tempest  raged  yet  more  fearfully.  Our  gal- 
lant ship  was  but  as  a  feather  on  the  wave's  surface, 
and  all  was  fearfully  dark  as  any  night  in  the  black 
catalogue  of  tempests ;  the  wind  right  ahead ;  there  was 
equal  peril  now  in  advancing  or  receding;  the  captain, 
however,  gave  his  orders  with  as  much  precision  as  if  he 
were  exhibiting  in  a  state  pageant.  The  loud  voice  of 


LOSS    OF   THE   ISABELLA.  827 

the  speaking-trumpet  was  the  only  sound  that  could  bo 
heard  amid  the  wild  roar  of  contending  elements.  Be- 
tween three  and  four  o'clock,  our  captain  entered  the 
cabin :  he  spoke  little.  I  saw  the  distressed  workings  of 
his  mind,  and  one  or  two  questions  constituted  all  the 
interruptions  I  offered.  He  took  brandy  and  water,  threw 
off  his  saturated  dress,  and  having  sat  a  little  in  dry 
clothes,  retired. 

From  this  time,  the  ship  seemed  to  me  to  labor  and 
strain  more  than  before,  and  the  hurricane  to  drive  and 
lay  down  the  ship  lower  on  her  side ;   but  as  the  captain 
was  taking  rest,  I  had  fancied  more  security,  and  had 
lain  myself  on  the  floor  of  the  cabin  in  the  hope  of  get- 
ting also  some  repose.     I  had  been  lying  down  I  suppose 
thirty  minutes,  when  I  thought  I  heard  or  felt  the  keel  of 
the  ship  drag.     I  had  been,  to  this  time,  sick  to  death.     I 
was  exhausted  and  listless,  almost  lifeless,   when  the 
dreadful  suspicion  and  announcement  of  "shore,"  alarm- 
ed me;  I  was  ill  no  more.     I  jumped  up,  and  was  rush- 
ing through  the  cabin  to  mention  my  fears,  when  the  ship 
beat  twice  on  a  rock,  and  I  heard  the  cry  of  "  The  ship 
has  struck  !"     I  called  the  captain.     The  dreadful  shock 
and  loud  cries  of  alarm,  combined  to  summon  all  on  deck, 
excepting  the  ladies  and  the  poor  children,  who  had  been 
roused,  at  last,  by  the  general  crash,  and  these  I  would 
not  allow  to  leave  their  berths  lest  they  might  interrupt 
the  exertions  making  above.     Here,  indeed,  was  redou- 
bled energy.     The  rudder  was  unshipped  when  we  first 
struck,  and  was  abandoned.     Now  was  the  loud  cry  for 
the  speaking-trumpet — now  for   the  axes,  which  for  a 
time  could  not  be  found.     I  asked  if  there  were  no  guns 
to  fire  signals  of  distress  ?     No  guns.     No  rockets  to  let 
off  to  acquaint  the  coast-guard  with  our  condition  1     No 
rockets.     It  was  manifest  our  captain  had  been,  as  Napo- 
leon said  of  Massena,  a  spoiled  child  of  fortune !     Always 
happy  and  successful  in  his  adventures,  his  voyages  de- 
servedly fortunate,  had  superseded  all  contemplation  of 
disaster.     Every  effort  was  now  made,  by  manoeuvring 
the  sails,  to  force  the  ship  once  more  to  sea.  and  made  in 
vain — we  were  constrained  to  wait  until  daylight  ena- 


329  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

bled  us  to  appreciate  our  real  situation,  and  procure  for 
us,  from  the  shore,  the  necessary  assistance. 

It  is  difficult  to  judge  of  distance  on  w%ter,  but  I  believe 
we  lay  nearly  half  a  mile  from  the  beach.  Every  suc- 
ceeding wave  raised  the  ship  several  feet,  and  subsiding, 
we  beat  with  tremendous  violence  on  the  rock.  An  im- 
mense quantity  of  bricks  had  been  shipped  in  lieu  of  bal- 
last; between  these  and  the  rock,  the  ship's  bottom  might 
represent  the  metal  works  between  the  anvil  and  the 
hammer,  and  strange  it  would  have  been  had  it  not  se- 
verely suffered.  Every  wave  was  a  fearful  mountain, 
while  the  hurricane  momentarily  threatened  to  shiver 
us  into  atoms.  Such  a  storm  has  not  been*  felt  on  these 
shores  during  the  last  fifty  years.  As  the  un governed 
state  of  the  rudder  was  now  breaking  up  all  within  its 
range,  the  binnacles  were  removed  below  for  security, 
and  the  rudder  lashed  to  the  boom;  but  the  cords  were 
soon  rent  asunder  like  threads.  After  lying  in  this  situa- 
tion nearly  two  hours,  sometimes  fancying  we  saw  boats 
approaching  to  our  assistance,  sometimes  that  we  saw 
lights  as  signals,  the  dawn  at  length  assured  us  we  were 
descried  from  the  shore,  where  we  saw  a  general  activity 
corresponding  to  the  peril  of  our  unhappy  condition.  Not 
a  boat  could,  hpwever,  venture  to  put  out  through  the 
frightful  surf,  and  I  own  I  felt  little  hopes  of  relief  while 
the  elements  continued  their  frightful  ravages.  The 
shore  was  now  lined  with  spectators,  but  their  sympathy 
could  avail  us  nothing.  While  this  was  our  condition 
without,  within  the  ship  all  was  devastation.  At  each 
new  concussion  something  was  strained  and  gave  way. 
Bedsteads,  lamps,  tables  and  trunks  were  hurled  from 
s*ide  to  side  with  frightful  noise,  which  made  the  females 
believe,  in  spite  of  our  assurances,  the  ship  was  breaking 
up.  But  now  beamed  suddenly  forth  in  our  extremity, 
the  dawn  of  our  deliverance.  We  had  watched  a  team 
laboring  along  the  beach  conveying  to  windward  a  boat. 
It  was  launched,  and,  in  the  same  moment,  manned.  It 
was  the  God-like  life-boat,  equipped  with  the  most  intre- 
pid crew  that  ever  deserved  their  country's  gratitude.  In 
half  an  hour  of  unequalled  struggles  they  were  alongside, 
and  boarded  us ;  and  now,  indeed,  I  saw  countenances 


LOSS   OP  THE  ISABELLA.  829 

where  the  glad  gleam  of  joy  endeavored  to  penetrate 
through  a  mass  of  suffering  and  despair ;  but  we  had 
scarcely  interchanged  congratulations,  when  I  was  told 
the  boat  had  left  the  ship.  I  could  not  believe  it.  I  ran 
aloft  and  found  it  true.  I  felt  I  had  now  a  duty  to  per- 
form to  my  family,  and  I  asked  the  captain,  if  the  boat 
were  dismissed,  what  could  be  his  plan  ?  I  represented 
that  as  our  rudder  was  useless,  he  could  have  no  com- 
mand of  the  ship  if  she  floated  with  the  coming  flood ; 
and  if  her  bottom  was  pierced,  of  which  there  could  be 
no  doubt,  we  must  expect  that  if  she  dipped  into  deep 
water,  she  would  fill  and  go  down,  and  all  would  inevi- 
tably perish — that  it  would  be  impossible,  in  her  present 
crippled  stale,  to  work  her  into  any  port,  and  I  submit- 
ted, therefore,  that  our  safety  should  be  consulted'  above 
all  things.  Our  captain  firmly  answered,  our  safety  was 
his  principal  duty  and  first  care  ;  that  I  might  rely  on  his 
word,  that  he  would  not  hazard  our  lives ;  and  that  if  the 
ship  was  not  in  a  condition  to  leave  the  shore,  he  would 
not  attempt  it.  I  own  I  returned  to  my  family  with  a 
heavy  heart  to  announce  the  fearful  experiment. 

The  flood-tide  was  rolling  in,  and  the  trumpet  of  our 
vigilant  captain  was  again  in  full  activity.  After  many 
mighty  workings,  an  awful  blast  drove  us  over  the  reef, 
and  hurried  us  to  sea.  Hope  beamed  again,  but  it  was 
found  that  the  ship  had  made  five  feet  of  water  in  ten 
minutes.  The  signal  of  distress  was  hoisted,  and  every 
possible  effort  made  to  put  the  ship's  head  to  the  shore, 
but  without  the  assistance  of  her  rudder,  she  was  wholly 
unmanageable,  and  very  soon  became  water-logged.  I 
now  caught  the  captain's  eye;  he  motioned  me,  and  gave 
the  dreadful  intelligence  that  the  ship  was  sinking,  and 
I  must  prepare  my  wife  and  children  for  any  event !  I 
asked  how  long  it  might  be  before  she  would  go  down  1 
He  said,  "  Some  time  yet."  Without  making  any  com- 
munication, I  conveyed  my  family  on  deck,  and  watched 
the  progress  of  the  ship  visibly  made  in  sinking.  Efforts 
were  again  made  to  put  the  ship  about,  but  they  were 
fruitless. 

Happily  for  our  safety,  the  life-boat,  better  acquainted 
28* 


330  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

with  the  distressing  features  of  disaster,  had  kept  hover- 
ing around.  I  had  grieved  at  its  dismissal,  but  now  sud- 
denly heard  it  hailing  the  captain  to4  let  go  the  remaining 
anchor.  After  dragging  a  little,  it  held  on,  and  threw 
her  stern  round;  but  the  ship  was  water-logged,  and 
made  little  progress.  She  was  now  so  low  that  every 
wave  rolled  in  one  side  and  discharged  itself  on  the  other. 
We  had  thrown  out  a  line  to  the  boat,  but  it  had  quickly 
snapped^  and  we  threw  others,  in  the  hope  of  keeping 
them  at  a  short  distance.  As  it  appeared  we  must  in  a 
few  seconds  go  down,  I  was  preparing  cords  for  the  safe- 
ty of  my  family,  when  a  squall,  a  hundred  times  more 
frightful  than  any  that  had  yet  assailed  us,  gave  hopes, 
and  the  crew  cried  out,  "  Now — now  the  masts  must  go." 
But  still  they  stood,  to  our  great  danger  and  annoyance. 
The  ship  had,  however,  felt  the  impulse  received  from 
the  last  blast,  and  been  impelled  forward ; — and  now  a 
shock  succeeded  which  gave  the  glad,  auspicious  tidings 
of  shore.  The  men  clasped  their  hands,  and  looked  to- 
wards Heaven  with  emotions  of  gratitude.  The  last 
nearly  overwhelming  gale  had  lifted  us  forward,  and 
proved  our  deliverance ;  and  now  the  exertions  of  the 
Crew  of  the  boat  were  increased  tenfold,  and  they  were 
quickly  under  our  stern.  Our  intrepid  captain,  lashing 
himself  for  security,  jumped  over  the  ship's  side,  and. 
though  overwhelmed  by  every  wave,  called  aloud  for  the 
children  first.  I  had  taken  them  below,  lest  the  fall  of 
the  masts  should  injure  them.  I  flew  down,  and  in  an 
instant  my  eldest  son  was  in  the  arms  of  the  captain. — 
The  life-boat  was  now  riding  on  the  brink  of  the  wave, 
and  now  was  lost  in  the  abyss ;  but  as  she  was  descend- 
ing my  son  was  caught  as  the  captain  loosed  his  arm,  by 
a  dozen  eager  arms  raised  for  his  safety.  The  second 
boy  met  with  more  facility,  and  the  infant  was  thrown 
and  caught,  when  the  whole  crew,  with  generous  sym- 
pathy, cried  out,  "  Now  the  mother."  The  mother  was 
soon  with  her  children,  and  seemed  to  us  protected  by 
these  our  worldly  saviors  from  destruction.  The  other 
females  were  then  handed  down,  with  a  youth' of  fourteen, 
and  I  next  followed,  in  agonizing  anxiety  to  share  with 


LOSS  OF  THE  STEAM-BOAT  ROTHSAY  CASTLE.  331 

those  I  felt  dearer  to  me  than   life,  the  yet  remaining 
perils. 

Lifted  sometimes  mountains  high,  sometimes  hidden 
from  all  view  in  the  depths  into  which  we  descended,  we 
at  last  reached  the  shore.  The  people  upon  the  beach 
rushed  into  the  surf  to  receive  us,  and  braved  its  perils 
for  our  security.  The  boat  was  soon  lighted,  and  a  cart 
stood  ready  to  convey  us  to  an  adjoining  house,  where  dry 
clothing  was  soon  exchanged  for  garments  long  saturated 
with  brine.  The  captain  and  crew  were  left  on  the 
wreck  with  one  passenger,  and  two  hours  elapsed  before 
the  boat  could  succeed  in  extricating  these  from  the  dan- 
gers assailing  them.  For  a  considerable  period,  the  sea 
had  been  covered  with  floating  packages,  carried  by  the 
storm  and  tide  many  miles  along  the  beach,  but  at  night- 
fall, began  the  active  work  of  plunder,  and  that  which 
had  resisted  other  violence  was  soon  conveyed  away  from 
observation. 


LOSS  OF  THE  ROTHSAY  CASTLE  STEAMER. 

THE  Rothsay  Castle  was  a  steam-packet  which  for- 
merly traded  on  the  Clyde.  She  belonged  to  the  line  of 
steamers  which  sailed  from  Liverpool  to  Beaumaris  and 
Bangor,  and  was  furnished  with  one  engine  only.  She 
was  commanded  by  Lieut.  Atkinson.  At  ten  o'clock,  on 
the  —  of  August,  1831,  the  vessel  was  appointed  to  sail 
from  the  usual  place,  George's  Pierhead,  but  a  casual 


332  REMARKABLE  SHIPWRECKS. 

delay  took  place  in  starting,  and  it  was  eleven  o'clock 
before  she  had  got  every  thing  in  readiness.  Whilst 
taking  passengers  on  board,  a  carriage  arrived  at  the 
Pierhead  for  embarkation.  It  belonged  to  M.  W.  Foster, 
Esq.  of  Regent's  Park,  London,  who,  with  his  wife  and 
servant,  were  conveyed  in  it  to  the  packet,  and  took  their 
passage  at  the  same  time.  They  were  all  subsequently 
drowned,  a  little  dog  which  accompanied  them  being  the 
only  survivor  of  this  unfortunate  group.  When  the 
steamer  left  the  Pierhead,  her  deck  was  thronged  with 
passengers.  The  captain,  crew,  musicians,  &c.  amount- 
ed to  fifteen,  in  addition  to  whom,  it  was  supposed  by  per- 
sons who  saw  the  vessel  sail,  that  one  hundred  and  ten 
or  one  hundred  and  twenty  souls  were  on  board.  The 
majority  of  the  passengers  consisted  of  holiday  and  fa- 
mily parties,  chiefly  from  country  places ;  and  in  one  of 
these  companies,  who  came  on  a  journey  of  pleasure  from 
Bury,  the  hand  of  death  committed  a  merciless  devasta- 
tion. It  consisted  of  twenty-six  persons ;  in  the  morning, 
*  joyous  with  health  and  hilarity,  they  set  out  upon  the 
waves,  and  when  the  shades  of  that  evening  approached, 
every  soul  but  two  saw  his  last  of  suns  go  down. 

The  weather  was  not  particularly  boisterous  at  the 
time  she  sailed.  A  severe  storm,  however,  had  raged  in 
the  morning,  and  must  have  agitated  the  water  on  the 
Banks  more  than  usual.  The  wind,  too,  blew  strongly 
from  the  north-west,  and  the  vessel  had  to  contend  with 
the  tide,  which  began  to  now  soon  after  she  passed  the 
rock.  When  the  steamer  arrived  off  the  floating-light, 
which  is  stationed  about  fifteen  mifes  from  Liverpool, 
the  roughness  of  the  sea  alarmed  many  of  the  passengers. 
One  of  the  survivors  stated,  that  Mr.  Tarry,  of  Bury, 
who,  with  his  family,  consisting  of  himself,  his  wife,  their 
five  children  and  servant,  was  on  board,  being,  in  com- 
mon with  others,  greatly  alarmed  for  his  own  safety'and 
the  safety  of  those  dear  to  him,  went  down  to  the  cabin, 
where  the  captain  was  at  dinner,  and  requested  him  to 
put  back.  His  reply  was,  "  I  think  there  is  a  great  deal 
of  fear  on  board,  and  very  little  danger.  If  we  were  to 
turn  back  with  passengers,  it  would  never  do — we  should 


LOSS  OF  THE  STEAM-BOAT  ROTHSAY  CASTLE.  333 

have  no  profit."  To  another  gentleman  who  urged  him 
to  put  back,  he  is  reported  to  have  said  very  angrily, 
"I'm  not  one  of  those  that  turn  back."  He  remained 
in  the  cabin  two  whole  hours,  and  peremptorily  refused 
to  comply  with  the  repeated  requests  made  to  him  by 
the  more  timid  of  his  passengers,  to  return  to  Liverpool ; 
observing  that  if  they  knew  him,  they  would  not  make 
the  request.  Before  dinner,  his  behavior  had  been  unex- 
ceptionable ;  but  after  he  had  dined,  a  very  striking  dif- 
ference was  observed  in  his  conduct.  He  became  vio- 
lent in  his  manner,  and  abusive  in  his  language  to  the 
men.  When  anxiously  questioned  by  the  passengers,  as 
to  the  progress  the  vessel  was  making,  and  the  time  at 
which  she  was  likely  to  reach  her  destination,  he  return- 
ed trifling,  and  frequently  very  contradictory  answers. 
During  the  early  part  of  the  voyage,  he  had  spoken  con- 
fidently of  being  able  to  reach  Beaumaris  by  seven  o'- 
clock ;  but  the  evening  wore  away,  night  came  on,  and 
the  vessel  was  still  a  considerable  distance  from  the  ter- 
mination of  her  voyage.  It  was  near  twelve  o'clock, 
when  they  arrived  at  the  mouth  of  the  Menai  strait, 
which  is  about  five  miles  from  Beaumaris.  The  tide, 
which  had  been  running  out  of  the  strait,  and  which  had, 
consequently,  for  some  time  previous  retarded  the  steam- 
er's progress  towards  her  destination,  was  just  on  the 
turn.  The  vessel,  according  to  the  statement  of  two  of 
the  seamen  and  one  ol  the  firemen  saved,  had  got  round 
the  buoy  on  the  north  end  of  the  Dutchman's  bank,  and 
had  proceeded  up  the  river  as  far  as  the  tower  on  Puffin 
island ;  when  suddenly  the  steam  got  so  low  that  the 
engine  would  not  keep  her  on  her  proper  course.  When 
asked  why  there  was  not  steam  on,  the  fireman  said, 
that  a  deal  of  water  had^been  finding  its  way  into  the 
vessel  all  day,  and  that  sometime  before  she  got  into  the 
strait,  the  bilge-pumps  were  choked.  The  water  in  the 
hold  then  overflowed  the  coals ;  so  that,  in  renewing  the 
fires,  a  deal  of  water  went  in  with  the  coals,  and  made  it 
impossible  to  keep  the  steam  up.  It  was  the  duty  of  the 
fireman  to  give  notice  of  this  occurrence ;  but  he  seems 
not  to  have  mentioned  it  to  the  captain.  The  vessel, 


334  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 

which  had  evidently  come  fair  into  the  channel,  though 
there  was  no  light  on  the  coast  to  guide  her,  now  drift- 
ed with  the  ebb-tide  and  north-west  wind,  towards  the 
Dutchman's  bank,  on  the  north  point  of  which  she 
struck,  her  bows  sticking  fast  in  the  sand.  Lieut.  Atkin- 
son immediately  ordered  the  man  at  the  helm  to  put  the 
helm  a-starboard.  The  man  refused  to  do  so ;  but  put 
•it  to  port.  The  mate  perceiving  this,  ran  aft,  took  the 
helm  from  the  man,  and  put  it  to  starboard  again.  In 
the  meantime,  the  captain  and  some  of  the  passengers 
got  the  jib  up.  No  doubt  he  did  this  intending  to  wear 
her  round  and  bring  her  head  to  the  northward  ;  but,  in 
the  opinion  of  nautical  men,  it  could  not  make  the  least 
difference  which  way  her  head  was  turned,  as  she  was 
on  a  lee  shore,  and  there  was  no  steam  to  work  her  off. 
The  captain  also  ordered  the  passengers  first  to  run  aft, 
in  the  hope,  by  removing  the  pressure  from  the  vessel's 
stem,  to  make  her  float :  this  failing  to  produce  the  de- 
sired effect,  he  then  ordered  them  to  run  forward.  All 
the  exertions  of  the  captain,  the  crew  and  passengers 
united,  were  unavailing.  The  ill-fated  vessel  stuck  still 
faster  in  the  sands,  and  all  gave  themselves  up  for  lost. 
The  terror  of  the  passengers  became  excessive.  Several 
of  them  urged  the  captain  to  hoist  lights,  and  make 
other  signals  of  distress  ;  but  he  positively  refused  to  do 
so,  assuring  the  passengers  that  there  was  no  danger, 
and  telling  them  several  times,  that  the  packet  was  afloat 
and  doing  well,  and  on  her  way  ;  when  the  passengers 
knew  perfectly  well  that  she  was  sticking  fast  in  the 
sand,  and  her  cabins  rapidly  filling  with  water.  Doubt- 
less the  unfortunate  man  was  perfectly  aware  of  the  im- 
minence of  the  danger ;  but  we  may  charitably  suppose 
that  he  held  such  language  for  the  purpose  of  preventing 
alarm  which  might  be  fatal.  The  alarm-bell  was  now 
rung  with  so  much  violence  that  the  clapper  broke,  and 
some  of  the  passengers  continued  to  strike  it  for  some 
time  with  a  stone.  The  bell  was  heard,  it  is  said,  at 
Beaumaris,  but,  as  there  was  no  light  hoisted  on  the 
mast  of  the  steamer,  (a  fatal  neglect !)  those  who  heard 
the  signal  were,  of  course,  ignorant  whence  it  proceeded. 


LOSS  OF  THE  STEAM-BOAT  ROTHSAY  CASTLE.  335 

| 

The  weather,  at  this  awful  moment,  was  boisterous,  but 
perfectly  clear.  The  moon,  though  slightly  overcast, 
threw  considerable  light  on  the  surrounding  objects.  But 
a  strong  breeze  blew  from  the  north-west,  the  tide  began 
to  set  in  with  great  strength,  and  a  heavy  sea  beat  over 
the  bank  on  which  the  steam-packet  was  now  firmly  and 
immovably  fixed. 

We  cannot  describe  the  scene  which  followed.  Cer- 
tain death  seemed  now  to  present  itself  to  all  on  board, 
and  the  most  affecting  scenes  were  exhibited.  The  fe- 
males, in  particular,  uttered  the  most  piercing  shrieks ; 
some  locked  themselves  in  each  other's  arms,  while 
others,  losing  all  self-command,  tore  off  their  caps  and 
bonnets,  in  the  wildness  of  despair.  A  Liverpool  pilot, 
who  happened  to  be  in  the  packet,  now  raised  his  voice 
and  exclaimed,  "It  is  all  over— we  are  all  lost !"  At 
these  words  there  was  a  universal  despairing  shriek. — 
The  women  and  children  collected  in  a  knot  together, 
and  kept  embracing  each  other,  keeping  up,  all  the  time, 
the  most  dismal  lamentations.  When  tired  with  crying, 
they  lay  against  each  other,  with  their  heads  reclined, 
like  inanimate  bodies.  The  steward  of  the  vessel  and 
his  wife,  who  was  on  board,  lashed  themselves  to  the 
mast,  determined  to  spend  their  last  moments  in  each 
other's  arms.  Several  husbands  and  wives  also  met 
their  fate  locked  in  each  other's  arms ;  whilst  parents 
clung  to  their  beloved  children, — several  mothers,  it  is 
said,  having  perished  with  their  dear  little  ones  firmly 
clasped  in  their  arms.  A  party  of  the  passengers,  about 
fifteen  or  twenty,  lowered  the  boat  and  crowded  into  it. 
It  was  impossible  for  any  open  boat  to  live  in  such  a  sea, 
even  though  not  overloaded,  and  she  immediately 
swamped  and  went  to  the  bottom,  with  all  who  had 
made  this  last  hopeless  effort  for  self-presfervation. 

For  some  time  the  vessel,  though  now  irrecoverably 
lost,  continued  to  resist  the  action  of  the  waves,  and  the 
despairing  souls  on  board  still  struggled  with  their  doom. 
But  hope  had  .forever  fled ;  the  packet  was  beaten  and 
tossed  about  by  the  tumultuous  waters  with  a  violence 
which  threatened  to  dash  her  into  fragments  at  every 


336  REMARKABLE  SHIPWRECKS. 

shock,  and  the  sea  now  made  a  continual  breach  over 
her.  The  decks  were  repeatedly  swept  by  the  boiling 
ocean,  and  each  billow  snatched  its  victims  to  a  watery 
grave.  The  unfortunate  captain  and  his  mate  were 
among  the  first  that  perished.  About  thirty  or  forty 
passengers  were  standing  upon  the  poop  clinging  to  each 
other  in  hopeless  agony,  and  occasionally  uttering  the 
most  piteous  ejaculations.  Whilst  trembling  thus  upon 
the  brink  of  destruction,  and  expecting  every  moment  to 
share  the  fate  which  had  already  overtaken  so  many  of 
their  companions  in  misery,  the  poop  was  discovered  to 
give  way ;  another  wave  rolled  on  with  impetuous  fury, 
and  the  hinder  part  of  the  luckless  vessel,  with  all  who 
sought  safety  in  its  frail  support,  was  burst  away  from 
its  shattered  counterpart,  and  about  forty  wretched  be- 
ings harried  through  the  foaming  flood  into  an  eternal 
world. 

'  Then  rose  from  sea  to  sky  the  wild  farewell, 
Then  shrieked  the  timid  and  stood  still  the  brave.  ' 

Those  who  retained  any  degree  of  sensibility  endea- 
vored to  catch  at  whatever  was  floating  within  their  reach, 
with  the  vain  hope  of  prolonging  their  lives,  though  it 
was  certain  that  life  could  only  lengthen  their  sufferings. 
Many  grasped,  with  frantic  despair,  at  the  slightest  ob- 
ject they  could  find,  but  were  either  too  weak  to  retain 
their  hold,  or  were  forced  to  relinquish  their  grasp  by  the 
raging  of  the  surge.  The  rudder  was  seized  by  eight  of 
the  sinking  creatures  at  the  same  time,  and  some  of  them 
were  ultimately  preserved.  The  number  of  those  who 
clung  to  the  portion  of  the  wreck  which  remained  upon 
the  bank,  gradually  grew  thinner  and  thinner,  as  they 
sunk  under  their  fatigues,  or  were  hurled  into  the  deep 
by  the  remorseless  waves.  At  length,  about  an  hour 
and  a  half  from  the  time  when  she  struck,  the  remnant 
of  the  Rothsay  Castle  disappeared  from  the  bosom  of  the 
ocean,  and  the  remainder  of  her  passengers  and  crew 
were  precipitated  into  the  foaming  abyss. 


LOSS  OF  THE  BRIG  SALLY. 

AUGUST  8,  1767,  while  in  latitude  25,  having  a  strong 
gale  of  wind,  the  brig  Sally  was  laid-to  under  her  main- 
stay-sail till  ten  o'clock  the  next  morning,  when  she  was 
hove  on  her  beam-en ds?  and  in  less  than  five  minutes  turn- 
ed keel  upwards,  so  that  they  had  only  time  to  cut  away 
the  lanyards  of  her  main-mast.  There  were  on  board, 
Anthony  Tabry,  master;  Humphrey  Mars,  mate;  Jo- 
seph Sherver,  Samuel  Bess,  John  Burna,  mariners,  who 
were  drowned ;  six  other  mariners,  viz.  Peter  Toy,  Da- 
niel Cultan,  John  Davis,  Alexander  Landerry,  Peter 
Mayes,  and  William  Hammon,  having  got  hold  of  the 
top-mast,  which  floated  alongside,  tied  it  to  the  stern,  and 
supported  themselves  by  it,  till  about  five  o'clock  in  the 
evening,  when  the  cabin  boy  swam  to  the  hull  and  threw 
them  a  rope,  by  which  they  got  on  the  bottom  of  the  ves- 
sel, where  they  were  still  in  a  dismal  plight;  the  first 
want  that  invaded  them  was  drink,  this  drove  away  all 
thought  of  meat.  The  main-mast,  with  all  the  rigging, 
the  lanyards  having  been  cut  away,  came  up,  alongside, 
from  which  they  got  the  wreath,  (a  square  hoop  which 
binds  the  head  of  the  mast,)  with  which,  and  a  bolt  of 
a  foot  long,  they  went  to  work  on  her  bottom ;  in  the 
mean  time  keeping  their  mouths  moist,  as  well  as  they 
could,  by  chewing  the  stuff  of  her  bottom,  she  not  hav- 
ing any  barnacles,  being  lately  cleaned,  and  some  lead 
which  was  on  her  bow,  and  drinking  their  own  water; 
in  four  days  time  Peter  Toy  died,  raving  for  drink, 
whose  body  they  threw  off  the  vessel  the  next  day.  In 
this  manner  did  they  work  for  six  days,  without  meat, 
drink,  or  sleep,  nor  darimg  to  lie  down  for  fear  of  falling 
off  the  vessel ;  the  sixth  day  they  got  a  hole  in  the  brig, 
where  they  found  a  barrel  of  bottled  beer ;  this  they 
drank  very  greedily  ;  they  soon  got  another  parcel,  when 
one  of  them  put  the  others  on  an  allowance.  The 
eleventh  day  of  their  being  on  the  wreck,  they  got  a  bar- 
29 


338  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 

rel  of  pork,  which  they  were  obliged  to  eat  raw.     As  to 

sleep,   as  soon  as  they  got  a  hole  through  the  vessel's 

bottom,  they  pulled  out  a  great  number  of  staves  and 

shingles,  and  made  a  platform  in  the  same  place,  but  so 

small  was  it,  that  when  they  wanted  to  turn,  they  were 

obliged  to  wait  till  the  sea  hoisted  the  vessel,  and  when 

she  fell  again  with  the  sea,  they  were  almost  froze  to 

death.     Thus  did  these  poor  miserable  fellows  live  for 

thirteen  or  fourteen  days ;  after  they  got  the  pork,  they 

made  a  kind  of  net  with  a  hoop,  some  shingles,   and 

ropes,  which  they  got  from  the  mast ;  this  they  let  into 

the  sea,  with  some  pork,  and  caught  a  few  small  fish, 

which,  with  two  or  three  mice  they  caught  on  board  the 

brig,  afforded  them  several  most  delicious  repasts,  raw 

as  they  were ;  this  lasted  but  a  few  days,  as  they  could 

not  catch  any  more ;  when  they  were  obliged  to  return 

to  their  pork,  which  was  become  quite  putrid  by  the 

salt  water  getting  to  it.     To  their  great  joy,  on  the  1st 

of  September,  in  latitude  26,    15,   longitude  70,  10,  at 

four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  they  could  just  perceive  a 

vessel  to  windward  of  them,  which  seemed  to  stand  some 

time  for  them,  but  soon  put  about  and  stood  from  them; 

it  was  then  they  despaired,  as  that  morning  they  had 

drank  the  last  bottle  of  their  beer,  and  that  one  was  all 

they  had ;  for  that  day  they  worked  hard  to  get  at  the 

casks  of  water  in  the  hold,  but  they  were  so  far  from 

them,  that  they  could  not  have  got  at  them  in  a  long 

time.     About  sun  half  an  hour  high,  the  vessel  stood  for 

them,  and  came  so  near  that  they  perceived  a  piece  of 

canvass,  that  they  on  the  wreck  supported  on  a  piece  of 

board,  bore  down  for  it,  and  about  seven  or  eight  o'clock 

took  them  on  board;  she  was  the  brig  Norwich,  captain 

Robert  Noyes.     Thus  were  they  relieved  when  death 

stared  them  in  the  face,  by  a  captain  who  used  them 

very  kindly,  gave  them  food  and  clothes,  as   their  own 

were  rotted  off  their  backs,  washed  their  sores,  and  gave 

them  plasters,  as  they  were  almost  raw  from  head  to 

foot  with  the  heat  of  the  sun  and  salt  water,  which,  in 

many  places  had  eaten  holes  in  their  flesh. 


SUFFERINGS  OF  EPHRAIM  HOW. 

ON  the  25th  of  August,  1676.  Mr.  Ephraim  How,  of 
New-Haven,  in  New- England,  with  his  two  eldest  sons ; 
one  Mr.  Augur;  Caleb  Jones,  son  to  Mr.  William  Jones^ 
one  of  the  magistrates  of  New- Haven ;  and  a  boy ;  six 
persons  in  all,  set  sail  from  New-Haven  for  Boston,  in 
a  small  ketch,  of  about  seventeen  tons. 

Having  despatched  his  business  there,  he  sailed  for 
New-Haven  on  the  10th  of  September,  but  was  forced 
back  to  Boston  by  contrary  winds.  Here  Mr.  How  was 
seized  with  a  violent  flux,  which  continued  nearly  a 
month ;  many  being  at  that  time  sick,  and  some  dying 
of  the  same. 

Being  in  some  degree  restored  to  health,  he  again  sail- 
ed from  Boston,  October  10.  They  went  with  a  fair 
wind  as  far  as  cape  Cod ;  but  on  a  sudden,  the  weather 
became  very  tempestuous,  so  that  they  could  not  pass 
the  cape,  but  were  driven  off  to  sea,  where  they  were 
in  great  danger,  experiencing  terrible  storms,  with  out- 
rageous wind  and  seas. 

His  eldest  son  fell  sick  and  died  about  the  21st;  soon 
after,  his  other  son  was  taken  ill  and  died  also.  This 
was  a  bitter  cup  to  the  poor  father,  for  these  youths  were 
the  only  assistants  in  working  the  vessel.  Soon  after 
Caleb  Jones  died,  so  that  half  the  company  were  now 
no  more. 

Mr.  How  continued  irk  a  very  sickly  and  weak  state, 
yet  was  necessitated  to  stand  at  the  helm  twenty-four 
and  thirty-six  hours  together.  During  this  time,  the  sea 
was  so  boisterous  as  frequently  to  break  over  the  vessel,  so . 
that  if  he  had  not  been  lashed  fast  he  must  have  been 
washed  overboard.  In  this  extremity,  he  was  at  a  loss 
in  his  own  thoughts,  whether  he  should  persist  in  endea- 
voring to  make  for  the  New-England  shore,  or  bear 
away  for  the  southern  islands.  Upon  his  proposing  the 
question  to  Mr.  Augur,  they  determined,  according  to 
the  custom  of  some  in  those  times,  to  decide  this  difficult 


340  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

case  by  casting  lots.  They  did  so,  and  it  fell  upon  New- 
England. 

Nearly  about  the  7th  of  November,  they  lost  their  rud- 
der, so  that  now  their  only  dependence  was  upon  Provi- 
dence. In  this  deplorable  state  they  drove  up  and  down 
for  a  fortnight  longer.  During  the  last  six  weeks,  the 
poor  infirm  Mr.  How  was  hardly  ever  dry,  nor  had  he 
the  benefit  of  warm  food  above  thrice  or  thereabouts  ! 

At  length,  about  the  21st  of  November,  early  in  the 
morning  the  vessel  was  driven  on  the  tailings  of  a  ledge 
of  rocks,  where  the  sea  broke  violently.  Looking  out, 
they  saw  a  dismal,  rocky  island  to  the  leeward,  upon 
which,  if  Providence  had  not  by  the  breakers  given  them 
timely  warning,  they  had  been  dashed  to  pieces.  They 
immediately  let  go  an  anchor,  and  got  out  the  boat,  and 
the  sea  became  calm.  The  boat  proving  leaky,  and  they 
being  in  great  terror,  they  took  but  little  out  of  the  ketch, 
but  got  on  shore  as  they  could. 

Here  they  could  discover  neither  man  nor  beast.  It 
was  a  small,  rocky,  desolate  island,  near  cape  Sable,  the 
southern  extremity  of  Nova  Scotia.  They  now  appeared 
to  be  in  great  danger  of  being  starved  to  death,  but  the 
storm  returning,  beat  so  violently  upon  the  vessel,  as  it 
still  lay  at  anchor,  that  it  was  stove  to  piece?,  and  seve- 
ral things  floated  to  the  shore.  ,• 

The  following  articles  were  all  they  had  towards  their 
future  support : — a  cask  of  gunpowder,  which  received 
no  damage  from  the  water ;  a  barrel  of  wine  ;  half  a  bar- 
rel of  molasses ;  several  useful  articles  towards  building 
a  tent :  all  the  above  drifted  from  the  wreck :  besides 
which  they  had  fire-arms  and  shot ;  a  pot  for  boiling ; 
and  most  probably  other  things  not  mentioned  in  the 
narrative. 

Their  tent  was  soon  erected,  for  the  cold  was  now  get- 
ting severe,  but  new  and  great  distresses  attended  them, 
for  though  they  had  arms  and  ammunition,  there  were 
seldom  any  fowls  to  be  seen,  except  crows,  ravens,  and 
seagulls.  These  were  so  few,  that  they  could  seldom 
shoot  more  than  one  at  a  time.  Many  times  half  a  fowl, 
with  the  liquor  it  was  boiled  in,  served  for  a  meal  for  all 


LOSS  OF  THE  TRANSPORT  HARPOONER.       341 

three.  Once  they  lived  five  days  without  any  suste- 
nance, but  did  not  feel  themselves  pinched  with  hunger 
as  at  other  times ;  which  they  esteemed  a  special  favor 
of  Heaven  unto  them. 

When  they  had  lived  in  this  miserable  condition  twelve 
weeks,  Mr.  How's  dear  friend  and  companion,  Mr.  Au- 
gur, died,  about  the  middle  of  February,  1677 ;  so  that 
he  had  none  left  to  converse  with  but  the  lad,  who  like- 
wise departed  on  the  2d  of  April. 

Mr.  How  was  now  the  sole  inhabitant  of  this  desolate 
spot,  during  April,  May,  and  June,  and  saw  fishing  ves- 
sels every  now  and  then,  sailing  by ;  some  of  which 
came  even  nearer  to  the  island  than  that  which  at  last 
took  him  off.  He  used  all  the  means  in  his  power  to 
make  them  acquainted  with  his  distress ;  but  they  either 
did  not  see  him,  or  were  afraid  to  approach  close  to  the 
island,  lest  some  of  those  Indians  should  be  quartered 
there,  who  were  at  that  time  in  hostility  against  the 
English,  viz.,  the  North-east  Indians,  who  held  out  after 
the  death  of  the  famous  Philip,  king  of  the  Wompa- 
noags. 

At  length  a  vessel  belonging  to  Salem,  in  New- Eng- 
land, providentially  passed  by,  and  seeing  this  poor  fel- 
low, they  sent  their  boat  on  shore,  and  took  him  away. 
He  had  been  on  the  island  more  than  seven  months,  and 
above  a  quarter  of  a  year  by  himself.  On  the  18th  of 
July,  he  arrived  at  Salem,  and  at  last  returned  to  his 
family  at  New-Haven.  They  for  a  twelvemonth  had 
supposed  him  dead  ;  by  which  it  appears  he  did  not  get 
home  till  the  end  of  August,  or  perhaps  later. 


LOSS  OF  THE  TRANSPORT  HARPOONER. 

THE  hired  transport  Harpooner  was  lost,  near  New- 
foundland, in  November,  1818 ;  she  had  on  board  three 
hundred  and  eighty-five  men,  women  and  children,  in- 
cluding the  ship's  company.  The  passengers  consisted 
of  detachments  of  several  regiments,  with  their  families, 
29* 


342  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 

who  were  on  their  way  to  Quebec.  On  Saturday  even- 
ing, November  10th,  a  few  minutes  after  nine  o'clock,  the 
second  mate  on  watch  called  oujt,  "  the  ship  Js  aground;" 
at  which  she  slightly  struck  on  the  outermost  rock  of  St. 
Shotts,  in  the  island  of  Newfoundland.  She  beat  over, 
and  proceeding  a  short  distance,  she  struck  again,  and 
filled ;  encircled  among  rocks,  the  wind  blowing  strong, 
the  night  dark,  and  a  very  heavy  sea  rolling,  she  soon  fell 
over  on  her  larboard  beam  end ;  and,  to  heighten  the 
terror  and  alarm,  a  lighted  candle  communicated  fire  to 
some  spirits  in  the  master's  cabin,  which,  in  the  confu- 
sion, was  with  difficulty  extinguished. 

The  ship  still  driving  over  the  rocks,  her  masts  were 
cut  away,  by  which  some  men  were  carried  overboard. 
The  vessel  drifted  over,  near  the  high  rocks,  towards  the 
main.  In  this  situation,  every  one  became  terrified  :  the 
suddenness  of  the  sea  rushing  in,  carried  away  the  berths 
and  stanchions  between  decks,  when  men,  women  and 
children  were  drowned,  and  many  were  killed  by  the 
•force  with  which  they  were  driven  against  the  loose  bag- 
gage, casks,  and  staves,  which  floated  below.  All  that 
possibly  could,  got  upon  deck,  but  from  the  crowd  and 
confusion  that  prevailed,  the  orders  of  the  officers  and 
masters  to  the  soldiers  and  seamen  were  unavailing; 
death  stared  every  one  in  the  face ;  the  ship  striking  on 
the  rocks,  as  though  she  would  instantly  upset.  The 
shrieking  and  pressing  of  the  people  to  the  starboard 
side  was  so  violent,  that  several-  were  much  hurt. 
About  eleven  o'clock,  the  boats  on  the  deck  were  washed 
overboard  by  a  heavy  sea :  but  even  from  the  com- 
mencement of  the  disaster,  the  hopes  of  any  individual 
being  saved  were  but  very  small. 

From  this  time,  until  four  o'clock  the  next  morning, 
all  on  the  wre'ck  were  anxiously  praying  for  the  light  to 
break  upon  them.  The  boat  from  the  stern  was  in  the 
meanwhile  lowered  down,  when  the  first  mate  and  four 
seamen,  at  the  risk  of  their  lives,  pushed  off  to  the  shore. 
They  with  difficulty  effected  a  landing  upon  the  main 
land,  behind  a  high  rock,  nearest  to  where  the  stern  of 
the  vessel  had  been  driven.  The  log-line  was  thrown 


LOSS  OF  THE  TRANSPORT    HARPOOffEK.  343 

from  the  wreck,  with  a  hope  that  they  might  lay  hold 
of  it ;  but  darkness,  and  the  tremendous  surf  that  beat, 
rendered  it  impracticable.  During  this  awful  time  of 
suspense,  the  possibility  of  sending  a  line  to  them  by  a 
dog  occurred  to  the  master ;  the  animal  was  brought  aft, 
and  thrown  into  the  sea  with  a  line  tied  round  his  mid- 
dle, and  with  it  he  swam  towards  the  rock  upon  which 
the  mate  and  seamen  were  standing.  It  is  impossible  to 
describe  the  sensations  which  were  excited  at  seeing  this 
faithful  dog  struggling  with  the  waves ;  and  on  reach- 
ing the  summit  of  the  rock  repeatedly  dashed  back  again 
by  the  surf  into  the  sea ;  until  at  length,  by  unceasing 
exertions,  he  effected  a  landing.  One  end  of  the  line  be- 
ing on  board,  a  stronger  rope  was  hauled  and  fastened 
to  the  rock. 

At  about  six  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  llth,  the 
first  persttn  was  landed  by  this  means  ;  and  afterwards, 
by  an  improvement  in  rigging  the  rope,  and  placing  each 
individual  in  slings,  they  were  with  greater  facility  ex- 
tricated from  the  wreck  ;  but  during  this  passage,  it  was 
with  the  utmost  difficulty  that  the  unfortunate  sufferers 
eould  maintain  their  hold,  as  the  sea  beat  over  them,  and 
some  were  dragged  to  the  shore  in  a  state  of  insensibility. 
Lieutenant  Wilson  was  lost,  being  unable  to  hold  on  the 
rope  with  his  hands ;  he  was  twice  struck  by  the  sea, 
fell  backwards  out  of  the  slings,  and  after  swimming  for 
a  considerable  time  amongst  the  floating  wreck,  by  which 
he  was  struck  on  the  head,  he  perished.  Many  who 
threw  themselves  overboard,  trusting  for  th'eir  safety  to 
swimming,  were  lost ;  they  were  dashed  to  pieces  by  the 
surf  on  the  rocks,  or  by  the  floating  pieces  of  the  wreck. 

The  rope,  at  length,  by  constant  working,  and  by 
swinging  across  the  sharp  rock,  was  cut  in  two:  and 
there  being  no  means  of  replacing  it,  the  spectacle  be- 
came more  than  ever  terrific ;  the  sea  beating  over  the 
wreck  with  great  violence,  washed  numbers  overboard ; 
and  at  last  the  wreck,  breaking  up  at  the  stern  from 
midships  and  forecastle,  precipitated  all  that  remained 
into  one  common  destruction. 

The  parting  of  the  ship  was  noticed  by  those  on  shore 


344  REMARKABLE    SHIPWRECKS. 

and  signified  with  the  most  dreadful  cry  of  "Go  for- 
ward !"  It  is  difficult  to  paint  the  horror  of  the  scene ; 
children  clinging  to  their  parents  for  help  ;  parents  them- 
selves struggling  with  death,  and  stretching  out  their 
feeble  arms  to  save  their  children,  dying  within  their 
grasp. 

The  total  number  of  persons  lost  was  two .  hundred 
and  eight,  and  one  hundred  and  seventy-seven  were 
saved. 

Lieutenant  Mylrea,  of  the  4th  Veteran  Battalion,  one 
of  the  oldest  subalterns  in  the  service,  and  then  upwards 
of  seventy  years  of  age,  was  the  last  person  who  quitted 
the  wreck ;  when  he  had  seen  every  other  person  either 
safe,  or  beyond  the  power  of  assistance,  he  threw  him- 
self on  to  a  rock,  from  which  he  was  afterwards  rescued. 

Among  the  severest  sufferers,  was  the  daughter  of  sur- 
geon Armstrong,  who  lost  on  this  fatal  night  her  father, 
mother,  brother,  and  two  sisters. 

The  rock  which  the  survivors  were  landed  upon,  was 
about  one  hundred  feet  above  the  water,  surrounded  at 
the  flowing  of  the  tide.  On  the  top  of  this  rock  they 
were  obliged  to  remain  during  the  whole  of  the  night, 
without  shelter,  food,  or  nourishment,  exposed  to  wind 
and  rain,  and  many  without  shoes.  The  only  comfort 
that  presented  itself  was  a  fire,  which  was  made  from 
pieces  of  the  wreck  that  had  been  washed  ashore. 

At  daylight  on  the  morning  of  the  12th,  at  low  water, 
their  removal  to  the  opposite  land  was  effected,  some  be- 
ing let  down  by  a  rope,  others  slipping  down  a  ladder  to 
the  bottom.  After  they  crossed  over,  they  directed  their 
course  to  a  house  or  fisherman's  shed,  distant  a  mile  and 
a  half  from  the  wreck,  where  they  remained  until  the 
next  day  ;  the  proprietor  of  this  miserable  shed  not  hav- 
ing the  means  of  supplying  relief  to  so  considerable  a 
number  as  took  refuge,  a  party  went  over  land  to  Tre- 
passy,  about  fourteen  miles  distant,  through  a  marshy 
country,  not  inhabited  by  any  human  creature.  This 
party  arrived  at  Trepassy,  and  reported  the  event  to 
Messrs.  Jackson,  Burke,  Sims,  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Brown, 
who  immediately  took  measures  for  alleviating  the  dis- 


LOSS  OF  THE  BRIG  POLLY.  345 

tressed,  by  despatching  men  with  provisions  and  spirits, 
and  to  assist  in  bringing  all  those  forward  to  Trepassy 
who  could  walk. 

On  the  13th,  in  the  evening,  the  major  part  of  the  sur- 
vivors (assisted  by  the  inhabitants,  who,  during  the 
journey  carried'  the  weak  and  feeble  upon  their  backs) 
arrived  at  Trepassy,  where  they  were  billeted,  by  order 
of  the  magistrate,  proportionably  upon  each  house. 

There  still  remained  at  St.  Shotts,  the  wife  of  a  ser- 
geant of  the  Veteran  Battalion ;  with  a  child,  of  which, 
she  was  delivered  on  the  top  of  the  rocks  shortly  after 
she  was  saved.  A  private,  whose  leg  was  broken,  and 
a  woman  severely  bruised  by  the  wreck,  were  also  neces- 
sarily left  there. 

'*  Immediately  after  the  arrival  at  Trepassy,  measures- 
were  adopted  for  the  comfort  and  refreshment  of  the  de- 
tachments, and  boats  were  provided  for  their  removal  to. 
St.  John's,  where  they  ultimately  arrived  in  safety. 


LOSS  OF  THE  BRIG  POLLY. 

THE  Brig  Polly,  of  one  hundred  and  thirty  tons  bur- 
then, sailed  from  Boston,  with  a  cargo  of  lumber  and 
provisions,  on  a  voyage  to  Santa  Croix,  on  the  12th  of 
December,  1811,  under  the  command  of  Capt.  W.  L* 
Cazneau — with  a  mate,  four  seamen  and  a  cook ;  Mr.  I. 
S.  Hunt,  and  a  negro  girl  of  nine  years  of  age,  passen- 
gers. Nothing  material  happened  until  the  loth,  when 
they  had  cleared  cape  Cod,  the  shoal  of  Georges,  and 
nearly,  as  they  supposed,  crossed  the  gulf  stream,  when 
there  came  on  a  violent  gale  from  the  sontliTeast,  in 
which  the  brig  labored  very  hard,  which  produced  a  leak 
that  so  gained  on  the  pumps  as  to  sound  nearly  six  feet, 
— when  about  midnight  she  was  upset,  and  Mr.  Hunt 
washed  overboard  !  Not  having  any  reason  to  hope  for 
her  righting,  by  much  exertion  the  weather-lanyards 
were  cut  away,  the  deck  load  having  been  before  thrown 
over,  and  the  lashings  all  gone ;  in  about  half  an  hoar 


346  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

the  mainmast  went  by  the  board,  and  soon  after,  the  fore- 
mast, when  she  righted,  though  full  of  water,  a  dreadful 
sea  making  a  fair  breach  over  her  from  stem  to  stern. — 
In  this  situation  the  night  wore  away,  and  daylight 
found  all  alive  except  the  passengers,  and  upon  close 
search,  the  little  girl  was  found  clinging  to  the  skylight, 
and  so  saved  from  drowning  in  the  cabin.  The  glass 
and  grating  of  the  skylight  having  gone  away,  while  on 
her  beam  ends,  the  little  girl  was  drawn  through  the 
openings,  but  so  much  chilled  that  she  survived  but  a 
few  hours.  In  this  situation  they  remained,  without 
fire,  as  near  as  the  captain  can  recollect,  twelve  days, 
when  the  cook,  an  Indian  from  Canton,  near  Boston, 
suggested  the  operation  of  rubbing  two  sticks  together, 
which  succeeded.  Very  fortunately,  the  caboose  did 
not  go  overboard  with  the  deck  load :  this  was  got  to 
windward,  a  fire  kindled,  and  some  provisions  cooked, 
which  was  the  first  they  had  tasted,  except  raw  pork,  for 
the  whole  time.  They  now  got  up  a  barrel  of  pork,  part 
of  a  barrel  of  beef,  and  one  half  barrel  of  beef.  A  small 
pig  had  been  saved  alive,  which  they  now  dressed,  not 
having  any  thing  to  feed  it  with.  But  at  this  time  no 
apprehension  was  entertained  of  suffering  for  meat,  there 
being  several  barrels  stowed  in  the  run,  and  upwards  of 
one  hundred  under  deck.  With  this  impression,  the 
people  used  the  provisions  very  imprudently,  till  they  dis- 
covered that  the  stern-post  was  gone,  and  the  gale  conti- 
nuing for  a  long  time,  the  barrels  had  stove,  and  their 
contents  were  all  lost  forever. 

There  happened  to  be  a  cask  of  water  lashed  on  the 
quarter-deck,  which  was  saved,  containing  about  thirty 
gallons ;  all  the  rest  was  lost.  This  lasted  about  eighteen 
days,  when  the  crew  were  reduced  to  the  necessity  of 
catching  what  rain  they  could,  and  having  no  more.  At 
the  end  of  forty  days,  the  meat  was  all  gone,  and  absolute 
famine  stared  them  in  the  face.  The  first  victim  to  this 
destroyer  was  Mr.  Paddock,  the  mate,  whose  exquisite 
distress  seemed  to  redouble  the  sufferings  of  his  compa- 
nions. He  was  a  man  of  a  robust  constitution,  who  had 
spent  his  life  in  the  Bank  fishing,  had  suffered  many 


LOSS    OF   THE    BRIG   POLLY.  347 

hardships  and  appeared  the  most  capable  of  standing 
the  shocks  of  misfortune  of  any  of  the  crew.     In  the 
meridian  of  life,  being  about  thirty-five  years  old,  it  was 
reasonable  to  suppose  that,  instead  of  the  first,  he  would 
have  been  the  last  to  have  fallen  a  sacrifice  to  cold  and 
hunger  :  but  Heaven  ordered  it  otherwise — he  became 
deliriou's,  and  death  relieved  him  from  his  sufferings  the 
fiftieth  day  of  his  shipwreck.     During  all  this  time,  the 
storms  continued,  and  would  often  overwhelm  them  so 
as  to  keep  them  always  drenched  with  sea- water,  having 
nothing  to  screen  them,  except  a  temporary  kind  of  ca- 
bin which  they  built  up  of  boards  between  the  windlass 
aud  nighthead  on  the  larboard  side  of  the  forecastle. 
The  next  who  sunk  under  this  horrid  press  of  disasters 
was  Howes,  a  young  man  of  about  thirty,  who  likewise 
was  a  fisherman  by  profession,  and  tall,  spare,   and  as 
smart  and  active  a  seaman  as  any  aboard.     He  likewise 
died  delirious  and  in  dreadful  distress,  six  days  after 
Paddock,  being  the  fifty-sixth  day  of  the  wreck.     It  was 
soon  perceived  that  this-  must  evidently  be  the  fate  of  all 
the  survivors  in  a  short  time,  if  something  was  not  done 
to  procure  water.     About  this  time,   good  luck,  or  more 
probably,  kind  Providence,  enabled  them  to  fish  up  the 
tea-kettle,  and  one  of  the  captain's  pistols ;  and  necessity, 
the  mother  of  invention,  suggested  the  plan  of  distilla- 
tion.    Accordingly,  a  piece  of  board  was  very  nicely 
fitted  to  the  mouth  of  the  boiler,  a  small  hole  made  in  it, 
and  the  tea-kettle,  bottom-upwards,  fixed   to  the  upper 
side  of  the  board,  the  pistol-barrel  was  fixed  to  the  nose 
of  the  kettle  and  kept  cool  by  the  constant  application 
of  cold  water.     This  completely  succeeded,  and  the  sur- 
vivors, without  a  doubt,  owe   their  preservation  to  this 
simple  experiment.     But  all  that  could  be  obtained  by 
this  very  imperfect  distillation,  was  a  scanty  allowance 
of  water  for  five  men ;  yet  it  would  sustain  life  and  that 
was  all.     The  impression  that  there  was  meat  enough 
under  the  deck,  induced  them  to  use  every  exertion  to 
obtain  it ;  but  by  getting  up  pieces  of  bone,  entirely  bare 
of  meat  and  in  a  putrid  state,  they  found  that  nothing 
was  left  for  them  but  to  rely  on  Heaven  for  food,  and  bo 


REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

contented  with  whatever  came  to  hand,  till  relief  should 
come.  Their  only  sustenance  now,  was  barnacles  ga- 
thered from  the  sides  of  the  vessel  which  were  eaten  raw 
that  the  distilling  might  not  be  interrupted,  which  would 
give  them  no  more  than  four  wine  glasses  of  water  each 
per  day.  The  next  food  which  they  obtained  was  a  large 
shark  caught  by  means  of  a  running  bow-line.  This 
was  a  very  great  relief  and  lasted  some  time.  Two  ad- 
vantages arose  from  this  signal  interposition  of  kind  Pro- 
vidence ;  for  while  they  lived  tipon  their  shark,  the  bar- 
nacles were  growing  larger  and  more  nutritive.  They 
likewise  found  many  small  crabs  among  the  sea- weed 
which  often  floated  around  the  wreck,  which  were  very 
pleasant  food.  But  from  the  necessity  of  chewing  them 
raw  and  sucking  out  the  nourishment,  they  brought  on  an 
obstinate  costiveness,  which  became  extremely  painful 
•and  probably  much  exasperated  by  the  want  of  water. 
On  the  15th  of  March,  according  to  their  computation, 
poor  Moho,  the  cook,  expired,  evidently  from  want  of 
water,  though  with  much  less  distress  than  the  others 
and  in  the  full  exercise  of  his  reason :  he  very  devoutly 
prayed  and  appeared  perfectly  resigned  to  the  will  of  the 
God  who  afflicted  him.  Their  constant  study  was  di- 
rected to  the  improvement  of  their  still,  which  was  made 
much  better  by  the  addition  of  the  other  pistol  barrel, 
which  was  found  by  fishing  with  the  grain  they  made 
fcy  fixing  nails  into  a  piece  of  a  stave.  With  this  barrel 
they  so  far  perfected  the  still  as  to  obtain  eight  junk  bot- 
bottles  full  of  water  in  twenty-four  hours.  But  from  the 
death  of  Moho  to  the  death  of  Johnson,  which  happened 
about  the  middle  of  April,  they  seemed  to  be  denied 
every  kind  of  food.  The  barnacles  were  all  gone,  and 
no  friendly  gale  wafted  to  their  side  the  sea-weed  from 
which  they  could  obtain  crabs  or  insects.  It  seemed  as 
if  all  hope  was  gone  forever,  and  they  had  nothing  be- 
fore them  but  death,  or  the  horrid  alternative  of  eating 
the  flesh  of  their  dead  companion.  One  expedient  was 
left,  that  was  to  try  to  decoy  a  shark,  if  happily  there 
might  be  one  about  the  wreck,  by  part  of  the  corpse 
of  their  shipmate !  This  succeeded,  and  they  caught 


LOSS  OF  THE  BRIG  POLLY.  349 

a  large  shark,  and  from  that  time  had  many  fish 
till  their  happy  deliverance.  Very  fortunately,  a  cask 
of  nails  which  was  on  deck,  lodged  in  the  lea-scuppers 
while  on  their  beam  ends  :  with  these  they  were  enabled 
to  fasten  the  shingles  on  their  cabin,  which  by  constant 
improvement,  had  become  much  more  commodious,  and 
when  reduced  to  two  only,  they  had  a  better  supply  of 
water. 

They  had  now  drifted  above  two  thousand  miles,  and 
were  in  latitude  28  North,  and  longitude  13  West,  when 
to  their  unspeakable  joy  they  saw  three  ships  bearing 
down  upon  them.  The  ships  came  as  near  as  was  con- 
venient, and  then  hailed,  which  captain  Cazneau  an- 
swered with  all  the  force  of  his  lungs.  The  ship  which 
hailed,  proved  to  be  the  Fame,  of  Hull,  captain  Feather- 
stone,  bound  from  Rio  Janeiro  home.  It  so  happened 
that  the  three  captains  had  dined  together  that  day  and 
were  all  on  board  the  Fame.  Humanity  immediately 
sent  a  boat,  which  put  an  end  to  the  dreadful  thraldom 
of  captain  Cazneau  and  Samuel  Badger,  the  only  sur- 
viving persons  who  were  received  by  these  humane 
Englishmen  with  exalted  sensibility.  Thus  was  ended 
the  most  shocking  catastrophe  which  our  naval  history 
has  recorded  for  many  years,  after  a  series  of  distresses 
from  December  15th  to  the  20th  of  June,  a  period  of  one 
hundred  and  ninety-one  days  !  Every  attention  was 
paid  to  the  sufferers  that  generosity  warmed  with  pity 
and  fellow-feeling  could  dictate,  on  board  the  Fame. 
They  were  cherished,  comforted,  fed,  clothed  and  nursed 
until  the  9th  of  July,  when  they  fell  in  with  captain 
Perkins,  of  the  brig  Dromo,  in  the  chops  of  the  channel 
of  England,  who  generously  took  them  on  board  and 
carefully  perfected  the  work  of  goodness  begun  by  the 
generous  Englishmen,  and  safely  landed  them  in  Kenne- 
bunk. 

It  is  natural  to  inquire  how  they  could  float  such  a 
vast  distance  upon  the  most  frequented  part  of  the  At- 
lantic and  not  be  discovered  all  this  time  1  They  were 
passed  by  more  than  a  dozen  sail,  one  of  which  came  so 
nigh  them  that  they  could  distinctly  see  the  people  on 
30 


350  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

deck  and  on  the  rigging  looking  at  them :  but  to  the  in- 
expressible disappointment  of  the  starving  and  freezing 
men,  they  stifled  the  dictates  of  compassion,  hoisted  sail, 
and  cruelly  abandoned  them  to  their  fate. 


THE  LOSS  OP  HIS  MAJESTY'S   SHIP,  QUEEN 
CHARLOTTE. 

THE  queen  Charlotte  was,  perhaps,  one  of  the  finest 
ships  in  the  British  navy.  She  was  launched  in  1790, 
and  her  first  cruise  was  with  the  fleet  fitted  out  against 
Spain,  in  consequence  of  the  dispute  respecting  Nootka 
sound.  Lord  Howe,  who  was  the  commander  and 
chief  of  the  fleet,  was  then  on  board  of  her ;  and  she  also 
bore  his  lordships  flag  on  the  first  of  June.  After  which 
she  was  sent  to  the  Mediterranean,  and  was  the  flag-ship 
of  the  commander-in-chief  on  that  station.  In  March, 
1800,  she  was  despatched  by  that  nobleman  to  reconnoi- 
tre the  island  of  Cabrera,  about  thirty  leagues  from  Leg- 
horn, then  in  the  possession  of  the  French,  and  which 
it  was  his  lordship's  intention  to  attack.  On  the  morn- 
ing of  the  17th,  the  ship  was  discovered  to  be  on  fire,  at 
the  distance  of  three  or  four  leagues  from  Leghorn. 
Every  assistance  was  promptly  forwarded  from  the 
shore,  but  a  number  of  boats,  it  appears,  were  deterred 
from  approaching  the  wreck,  in  consequence  of  the  guns, 
which  were  shotted,  and  which,  when  heated  by  the 
fire,  discharged  their  contents  in  every  direction. 

The  only  consolation  that  presents  itself  under  the 
pressure  of  so  calamitous  a  disaster  is,  that  it  was  not 
the  effect  either  of  treachery  or  wilful  neglect,  as  will 
appear  by  the  following  official  statement  of  the  carpen- 
ter : — 

"  Mr.  John  Braid,  carpenter  of  the  queen  Charlotte, 
reports,  that  twenty  minutes  after  6  o'clock  in  the  morn- 
ing, as  he  was  dressing  himself  he  heard  throughout  the 
ship  a  general  cry  of  "fire."  0n  which  he  immediately 


LOSS  OF  THE  SHIP  QUEEN  CHARLOTTE.        361 

ran  up  the  after-ladder  to  get  upon  deck,  and  found  the 
whole  half-deck,  the  front  bulk-head  of  the  admiral's 
cabin,  the  main-mast's  coat,  and  boat's  covering  on  the 
booms,  all  in  flames ;  which,  from  every  report  and  pro- 
bability, he  apprehends  was  occasioned  by  some  hay, 
which  was  lying  under  the  half-deck,  having  been  set 
on  fire  by  a  match  in  a  tub,  which  was  usually  kept 
there  for  signal  guns. — The  main-sail  at  this  time  was 
set,  and  almost  entirely  caught  fire ;  the  people  not  being 
able  to  come  to  the  clue  garnets  on  account  of  the 
flames. 

"  fie  immediately  went  to  the  forecastle,  and  found 
lieutenant  Dundas  and  the  boatswain  encouraging  the 
people  to  get  water  to  extinguish  the  fire.  He  applied 
to  Mr.  Dundas,  seeing  no  other  officer  in  the  forepart  of 
the  ship  (and  being  unable  to  see  any  on  the  quarter- 
deck, from  the  flames  and  smoke  between  them)  to  give 
him  assistance  to  drown  the  lower-decks,  and  secure  the 
hatches,  to  prevent  the  fire  falling  down.  Lieutenant 
Dundas  accordingly  went  down  himself,  with  as  many 
people  as  he  could  prevail  upon  to  follow  him :  and  the 
lower-deck  ports  were  opened,  the  scuppers  plugged,  the 
main  and  fore-hatches  secured,  the  cocks  turned,  and 
water  drawn  in  at  the  ports,  and  the  pumps  kept  going 
by  the  people  who  came  down,  as  long  as  they  could 
stand  at  them. 

"  He  thinks  that  by  these  exertions  the  lower-deck 
was  kept  free  from  fire,  and  the  magazines  preserved  for 
a  long  time  from  danger;  nor  did  lieutenant  Dundas,  or 
he,  quit  this  station,  but  remained  there  with  all  the 
people  who  could  be  prevailed  upon  to  stay,  till  several 
of  the  middle-deck  guns  came  through  that  deck. 

"  About  nine  o'clock,  lieutenant  Dundas  and  he,  find- 
ing it  impossible  to  remain  any  longer  below,  went  out 
at  the  fore-most  lower  deck  port,  and  got  upon  the  fore- 
castle ;  on  which  he  apprehends  there  were  then  about 
one  hundred  and  fifty  of  the  people  drawing  water,  and 
throwing  it  as  far  aft  as  possible  upon  the  fire. 

"  He  continued  about  an  hour  on  the  fore-castle  ;  and 
finding  all  efforts  to  extinguish  the  flames  unavailing,  he 


352  REMARKABLE  SHIPWRECKS, 

jumped  from  the  jib-boom,  and  swam  to  an  American 
boat  approaching  the  ship,  by  which  he  was  picked  up 
and  put  into  a  Tartan,  then  in  the  charge  of  lieutenant 
Stewart,  who  had  come  off  to  the  assistance  of  the  ship. 
(Signed)  "JOHN  BRAID." 

Leghorn,  March  18,  1800. 

Captain  Todd  remained  upon  deck,  with  his  first 
lieutenant,  to  the  last  moment,  giving  orders  for  saving 
the  crew,  without  thinking  of  his  own  safety.  Before  he 
fell  a  sacrifice  to  the  flames,  he  had  time  and  courage  t& 
write  down  the  particulars  of  this  melancholy  event,  for 
the  information  of  lord  Keith,  of  which  he  gave  copies  to 
different  sailors,  entreating  them,  that  whoever  should 
escape  might  deliver  it  to  the  admiral. 

Thus  fell  victims  to  perhaps  a  too  severe  duty,  the 
captain  and  his  first  lieutenant,  at  a  time  when  they  still 
had  it  in  their  power  to  save  themselves ;  but  self-pre- 
servation is  never  a  matter  of  consideration  in  the  ex- 
alted mind  of  a  British  naval  ofiicer,  when  the  safety  of 
his  crew  is  at  stake. 

Lord  Keith  and  some  of  the  officers  were  providen- 
tially on  shore  at  Leghorn,  when  the  dreadful  accident 
occurred.  Twenty  commissioned  and  warrant  officers, 
two  servants  and  one  hundred  and  forty-two  seamen, 
are  the  whole  of  the  crew  that  escaped  desrtuction  out 
of  nearly  nine  hundred  souls  on  board,  that  for  nearly 
four  hours  exerted  every  nerve  to  avoid  that  dreadful 
termination  which  too  surely  awaited  them. 


LOSS  OF  THE  AMPHITRITE  CONVICT  SHIP. 

THE  following  particulars  of  the  loss  of  this  vessel  are 
copied  from  a  letter  dated  Bouiogne-sur-mer,  September 
1,  1833. 

The  shocking  event  which  is  announced  by  the  title  to 
this  letter,  has,  I  assure  you,  filled  the  town  with  dis- 
may, and  must  lead  to  a  most  narrow  and  rigid  investi- 
gation. I  cannot  attempt  to  describe  the  afflictions  not 


LOSS  .OF  THE  AMPHITRITE  CONVICT  SHIP.  353 

only  of  the  English,  but  the  French,  at  this  most  dis- 
tressing event,  and  I  only  express  the  general  opinion 
when  I  say  that  the  British  public  demands  that  an  in- 
quiry be  instituted  into  the  conduct  of  all  parties  con- 
cerned in  this  deplorable  affair. 

The  Amphitrite  convict  ship  sailed  for  New  South 
Wales  from  Woolwich  on  the  25th  of  August.  Captain 
Hunter  was  the  commander  ;  Mr.  Forrester  the  surgeon; 
and  there  were  one  hundred  and  eight  female  convicts, 
twelve  children,  and  a  crew  of  sixteen  persons.  The 
captain  was  part  owner  of  the  vessel.  When  the  ship 
arrived  off  Dungeness,  the  gale  of  the  29th  began.  On 
Friday  morning  the  captain  hove  the  ship  to,  the  gale 
being  too  heavy  to  sail.  The  vessel  was  about  three 
miles  to  the  east  from  Boulogne  harbor  on  Saturday  at 
noon,  when  they  made  land.  The  captain  set  the  top- 
sail and  main-foresail  in  hopes  of  keeping  her  off  shore. 

From  three  o'clock  she  was  in  sight  of  Boulogne,  and 
certainly  the  sea  was  most  heavy  and  the  wind  extremely 
strong ;  but  no  pilot  boat  went  out  to  her,  and  no  life- 
boats or  other  assistance  were  dispatched.  I  observed 
her  from  three  o'clock  till  about  half  past  four  in  the 
afternoon,  when  she  came  round  into  Boulogne  harbor 
and  struck  on  the  sands.  By  four  o'clock  it  was  known 
that  it  was  a  British  ship,  but  some  said  it  was  a  brig; 
others  said  it  was  a  merchant  vessel,  though  all  said  it 
was  English. 

It  appears  from  the  statement  of  three  men  who  have 
been  saved  out  of  the  crew — all  the  rest  having  perish- 
ed— that  the  captain  ordered  the  anchor  to  be  let  go,  in 
hopes  of  swinging  round  with  the  tide. 

In  a  few  minutes  after  the  vessel  had  gone  aground, 
multitudes  rushed  to  the  beach,  and  a  brave  French  sai- 
lor, named  Pierre  Henin.  who  has  already  received  the 
thanks  of  the  Humane  society,  of  London,  addressed 
himself  to  the  captain  of  the  port,  and  said  that  he  was 
resolved  to  go  alone,  and  to  reach  the  vessel,  in  order  to 
tell  the  captain  that  he  had  not  a  moment  to  lose,  but 
must,  as  it  was  low  water,  send  all  his  crew  and  pas- 
sengers on  shore. 
30* 


t 

354  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS-. 

You  will  recollect  that  up  to  the  time  of  her  running 
aground  no  measure  was  adopted,  and  the  captain  was 
not  warned  from  shore  of  her  danger. 

As  soon  as  she  had  struck,  however,  a  pilot-boat,  com- 
manded by  Francois  Heuret,  who  has  on  many  occa- 
sions shown  much  courage  and  talent,  was  dispatched, 
and  by  a  little  after  five  came  under  her  bows.  The 
captain  of  the  vessel  refused  to  avail  himself  of  the  as- 
sistance of  Heuret  and  his  brave  companions,  and  when 
a  portion  of  the  crew  proposed  going  on  shore  the  captain 
prevented  them.  Two  of  the  men  saved,  state  that  they 
knew  the  boat  was  under  the  bows,  but  that  the  rest 
were  below  making  up  their  bundles.  The  crew  could 
then  have  got  on  shore  and  all  the  unfortunate  women 
and  children. 

When  the  French  boat  had  gone,  the  surgeon  sent  for 
Owen,  one  of  the  crew,  and  ordered  him  to  get  out  the 
long-boat.  This  was  about  half  past  five.  The  surgeon 
discussed  the  matter  with  his  wife  and  with  the  captain. 
They  were  afraid  of  allowing  the  prisoners  to  go  on 
shore.  The  wife  of  the  surgeon  is  said  to  have  propos- 
ed to  leave  the  convicts  there,  and  to  go  on  shore  with- 
out them. 

In  consequence  of  the  discussion,  no  long-boat  was 
sent  out.  Three  of  the  convict  women  told  Owen,  that 
they  heard  the  surgeon  persuaded  the  captain  not  to  ac- 
cept the  assistance  of  the  French  boat,  on  account  of  the 
prisoners  who  were  on  board. 

Let  us  now  return  to  Pierre  Henin.  The  French 
pilot-boat  had  been  refused  by  the  surgeon  and  captain 
— the  long-boat  had  been  put  out,  through  a  discussion 
as  to  saving  the  convicts — and  it  was  now  nearly  six 
o'clock.  At  that  time  Henin  went  to  the  beach,  stripped 
himself,  took  a  line,  swam  naked  for  about  three  quar- 
ters of  an  hour  or  an  hour,  and  arrived  at  the  vessel  at  a 
little  after  seven.  On  reaching  the  right  side  of  tb^  ves- 
sel, he  hailed  the  crew,  and  said,  "Give  me  a  Jjiie  to 
conduct  you  on  land,  or  you  are  lost,  as  the  s 
ing  in."  He  spoke  English  plain  enough  to 
He  touched  the  vessel  and  told  them  to  speak  to  th&.-e'ap- 


-> 


- 


LOSS  OF  THE  AMPHITRITE  CONVICT  SHIP.  355 


tain.  They  threw  (that  is,  some  of  the  crew,  but  not 
the  surgeon  or  captain)  two  lines,  one  from  the  stern  and 
one  from  the  bow.  The  one  from  the  stern  he  could  not 
seize — the  one  from  the  bow  he  did.  He  ^then  went  to- 
wards the  shore,  but  the  rope  was  stopped.  This  was, 
it  is  believed,  the  act  of  the  surgeon  and  captain.  He 
(Henin)  then  swam  back,  and  told  them  to  give  him 
more  rope  to  get  on  shore.  The  captain  and  surgeon 
would  not.  They  then  tried  to  haul  him  in,  but  his 
strength  failed  and  he  got  on  shore. 

You  perceive,  then,  that  up  to  this  moment  also  the 
same  obstacle  existed  in  the  minds  of  the  captain  and 
surgeon.  They  did  not  dare,  without  authority,  to  land 
the  convicts,  and  rather  than  leave  them  on  board,  or 
land  them  without  such  authority,  they  perished  with 
them. 

The  female  convicts,  who  were  battened  down  under 
the  hatches,  on  the  vessel's  running  aground,  broke 
away  the  half  deck  hatch,  and  frantic,  rushed'  on  deck. 
Of  course  they  entreated  the  captain  and  surgeon  to  let 
them  go  on  shore  in  the  long-boat,  but  they  were  not 
listened  to,  as  the  captain  and  surgeon  did  not  feel  au- 
thorized to  liberate  prisoners  committed  to  their  care. 

At  seven  o'clock  the  flood  tide  began.  The  crew  see- 
ing that  there  were  no  hopes,  clung  to  the  rigging.  The 
poor  one  hundred  and  eight  women  and  twelve  children  re- 
mainedon  deck,  uttering  the  most  piteous  cries.  The  ves- 
sel was  about  three  quarters  of  a  mile  English  from  the 
shore,  and  no  more.  Owen,  one  of  the  three  men  saved, 
thinks  that  the  women  remained  on  deck  in  this  state 
about  an  hour  and  a  half.  Owen  and  four  others- were 
on  the  spars,  and  thinks  they  remained  there  three  quar- 
ters of  an  hour,  but,  seeing  no  hope  of  being&ared,  he 
took  to  swimming,  and  was  brought  in  a  state  of  insensi- 
bility to  the  hotel.  To^wsey^  another  of  the  men  saved, 
was  on  a  plank  with  the  captain.  Towsey  asked  who 
he  was?  He  said  "I  am  the  .captain,"  but  the  next 
momerft  he  was  gone.  Rice,  the  third  man,  floated 
ashore  on  a  ladder.  He  was  in  the  aft  when  the  other 
men  took  to  the  raft.  When  the  French  pilot-boat  row- 


mm 

OKA  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

.^*/v»     *  _, 

ed  away,  after  being  rejected  by  the  captain,  he  (Rice) 
saw  a  man  waving  his  hat  on  the  beach,  and  remarked 
to  the  captain  that  a  gentleman  was  waving  to  them  to 
come  on  shore.  The  captain  turned  away  and  made  no 
answer.  At  that  moment  the  women  all  disappeared, 
the  ship  broke  in  two. 

These  are  the  facts  of  this  awful  case.  The  French 
Marine  Humane  society  immediately  placed  hundreds 
of  men  on  the  beach ;  and  the  office,  or  lodging,  being 
close  to  the  shore,  as  soon  as  the  corpses  were  picked  up 
they  were  brought  to  the  rooms,  where  I  assisted  many 
of  my  countrymen  in  endeavoring  to  restore  them  to 
life.  Our  efforts  were  fruitless,  except  in  the  cases  of  the 
three  men,  Owen,  Rice,  and  Towsey.  I  never  saw  so 
many  fine  and  beautiful  bodies  in  my  life.  Some  of  the 
women  were  the  most  perfectly  made ;  and  French  and 
English  wept  together  at  such  a  horrible  loss  of  life  in 
sight  of — ay,  and  even  close  to,  the  port  and  town. 
Body  after  body  has  been  brought  in.  More  than  sixty 
have  been  found ;  they  will  be  buried  to-morrow.  But 
alas!  after  all  our  efforts,  only  three  lives  have  been  sav- 
ed out  of  one  hundred  and  thirty-six. 


LOSS  OF  THE  LADY  OF   THE  LAKE. 

THE  ship  Lady  of  the  Lake,  sailed  from  Belfast,  on 
the  8th  of  April  1833,  bound  to  Quebec,  with  two  hun- 
dred and  thirty  passengers.  The  following  particulars 
were  furnished  by  captain  Grant. 

On  the  llth  May,  in  latitude  46.  50,  north,  and  longi- 
tude 47.  10,  west,  at  five  A.  M.,  steering  per  compass 
W.  S.  W.  with  a  strong  wind  at  N.  N.  E.  we  fell  in  with 
several  pieces  of  ice;  at  eight,  A.  M.  the  ice  getting 
closer,  I  judged  it  prudent  to  haul  the  ship  out  to  the 
eastward  under  easy  sail  to  avoid  it ;  while  endeavoring 
to  pass  between  two  large  pieces,  a  tongue  under  water 
in  the  lee  ice  struck  our  starboard  bow  and  stove  it  en- 
tirely in.  We  immediately  wore  the  ship  round,  expect- 


.-  ,- 

LOSS  OF  THE  LADY  OF  THE  LAKE.  357 

ing  to  get  the  leak  out  of  the  water,  but  did  not  succeed; 
the  ship  now  filling  fast,  the  mate,  with  seven  or  eight 
of  the  crew,  got  into  the  stern-boat — after  getting  bread, 
beef,  compass,  &c.  &c.  we  pulled  away  to  the  north- 
west— the  scene  that  then  took  place  is  beyond  descrip- 
tion ;  after  getting  the  long-boat  out,  the  passengers 
crowded  into  her  with  such  mad  desperation,  that  she 
was  twice  upset  alongside,  drowning  about  eighty  of 
them.  I  now  attempted  to  save  my  own  life  and  suc- 
ceeded in  getting  the  boat  clear  of  the  ship  half  full  of 
water,  with  thirty-three  souls  in  her,  without  oars,  sails, 
or  a  mouthful  of  provisions.  The  last  time  I  saw  the 
brig,  (the  ice  coming  between  her  and  us)  she  was  sunk 
up  to  the  tops,  and  about  thirty  of  the  passengers  in  the 
main-top-mast  rigging.  We  then  tried  to  pull  after  the 
other  boat,  with  the  bottom  boards  and  thufts,  but  got 
beset  with  the  ice.  We  now  expected  a  worse  fate  than 
those  who  were  in  the  vessel,  viz.  to  perish  with  cold 
and  hunger.  The  next  morning  the  wind  changed  to 
the  westward  and  we  got  clear  of  most  of  the  ice.  We 
then  pulled  to  the  eastward,  in  the  faint  hope  of  some 
vessel  picking  us  up,  and  at  noon  saw  a  brig  lying-to 
under  her  two  top-sails — at  four  got  on  board  of  her,  and 
found  the  crew  just  leaving  her,  the  brig  in  the  same 
state  as  our  ow;i,  sinking.  We,  however,  got  some  pro- 
visions out  of  her,  and  there  being  a  boat  lying  on  her 
decks,  I  got  part  of  the  passengers  out  of  our  own  boat 
into  it.  In  the  course  of  the  night  it  came  on  to  blow 
from  the  south-west  and  the  other  boat  foundered.  All 
that  now  remained  alive,  to  the  best  of  my  belief  or 
knowledge,  out  of  a  crew  and  passengers  of  two  hundred 
and  eighty,  is  myself,  one  seamen,  two  boys,  nine  male 
passengers  and  two  female,  fifteen  in  all.  At  noon  on 
the  14th,  we  fell  in  with  the  master  and  mate  of  the  brig 
Harvest  Home,  of  Newcastle,  the  vessel  we  had  pre- 
viously been  on  board  of;  and  on  the  evening  of  the 
same  day  both  got  on  board  of  a  loaded  brig  bound  to 
St.  Johns,  Newfoundland,  after  we  had  been  seventy- 
five  hours  in  an  open  boat,  half-dressed,  wet,  and  frost 
bitten;  next  morning,  I;  with  the  remainder  of  the  crew 


358  REMARKABLE   SHIPWRECKS. 

and  passengers,  left  the  brig  and  was  kindly  received  on 
board  the  ship  Amazon,  of  Hull,  bound  to  Quebec,  where 
we  arrived  in  safety. 


LOSS  OF  THE  BRITISH  BRIG  JESSE. 

THE  following  are  the  particulars  respecting  the  wreck 
of  the  British  ship  or  brig  Jesse,  captain  Gilmour,  under 
very  distressing  circumstances  : — 

The  Jesse,  timber  laden,  left  St.  John's,  Newfound- 
land, on  the  14th  of  May,  1835,  for  Belfast,  and  on  the 
17th,  encountered  a  heavy  gale,  which  strained  the  ves- 
sel, and  occasioned  her  to  make  a  great  deal  of  water. 
No  danger  was  apprehended  till  the  25th  of  May,  when 
a  tremendous  gale  sprang  up  from  the  North  and  East, 
and  the  ship  was  hove  to  under  close  reefed  rnaintopsail 
and  storm  trysail — all  hands  pumping,  but  the  water  still 
gained  on  her  and  she  shipped  some  heavy  seas. 

On  Sunday,  24th  of  May,  although  all  hands  were  at 
the  pumps,  the  leaks  still  increased ;  at  half  past  eleven, 
A.  M.,  had  reached  the  cabin  floor.  A  few  buckets  of 
bread  were  got  out  of  the  cabin,  also  a  barrel  of  bread 
and  a  cask  of  water,  all  of  which  were  hoisted  into  the 
maintop.  The  captain  ordered  the  long-boat  to  be  clear- 
ed. On  Monday,  the  vessel  began  to  break  up  rapidly, 
and  the  cargo  to  float  out ;  about  nine,  P.  M.,  the  foremast 
fell  through  the  bottom,  until  brought  up  by  the  lower 
yard  resting  on  the  rail.  About  half  an  hour  afterwards, 
the  mainmast  got  out  of  the  step,  and  shortly  after,  was 
carried  away  a  few  feet  above  the  deck ;  by  this  accident, 
the  provisions  secured  in  the  foretop  were  lost. 

The  captain  and  crew,  fifteen  in  number,  with  six 
steerage  passengers,  then  embarked  in  the  long-boat, 
with  about  five  gallons  of  water,  a  few  pieces  of  salt 
beef,  and  a  little  bread  so  saturated  with  salt  water,  that 
it  TMS^S  of  the  consistency  of  pap ;  a  dog  was  also  taken 
intr  '>e  boat,  which,  in  the  sequel,  they  killed,  and  th« 


LOSS  OF  THE  BRITISH  BRIO  JESSE.  659 

flesh  devoured,  after  drinking  his  blood,  which  afforded 
them  great  relief 

The  compass  was  unfortunately  broken  in  putting  it 
into  the  boat,  so  that  they  had  nothing  to  steer  by,  but 
the  stars  and  the  sun.  This  occurred  in  lat.  41  30  N. 
long.  25  20  W. — cape  Rae  being  about  four  hundred  and 
fifty  miles  distant.  From  the  time  of  leaving  the  ship, 
until  the  Saturday  following,  May  30,  the  boat  was  kept 
before  the  wind,  a  heavy  sea  running  all  the  time,  which 
threatened  to  swamp  the  long-boat. 

On  this  day,  James  Savage,  seaman,  became  insane 
and  jumped  overboard,  all  efforts  to  save  him  were  una- 
vailing. Shortly  after,  James  Robinson,  seaman,  expired, 
and  on  the  next  day,  William  Robinson,  the  cook,  also 
died.  On  Monday,  Mrs.  McCartney,  passenger,  and  her 
two  infant  children,  expired,  exhausted  with  their'suffer- 
ings  ;  on  Tuesday,  Samuel  Nugent,  a  passenger,  James 
Scott,  apprentice,  and  William  Savage,  apprentice,  died. 

On  Wednesday,  at  three,  P.  M.,  saw  a  sail  to  the  E. 
N.  E.  which  proved  the  Ythan,  of  New-Castle,  captain 
W.  Davidson,  who  received  the  survivors,  twelve  in 
number,  on  board.  Hugh  Macanelly,  seaman,  died 
shortly  after,  and  on  Thursday,  4th  of  June,  John  Mullin, 
seaman.  On  the  Wednesday  following,  10th  of  June, 
Charles  Stevens,  Robert  Jones,  J.  McKnabb,  were  put 
on  board  the  Wansbeck,  captain  Young.  The  remain- 
der have  since  arrived ;  two  have  been  sent  to  the  hospi- 
tal, and  the  others  are  still  in  a  weak  state,  from  their 
sufferings.  The  whole  of  those  who  died,  drank  salt 
water  to  excess,  and  became  insane  before  death  ensued. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  survivors  : — Capt.  Gil- 
mour,  W.  Kelley,  first  mate,  Hugh  Smith,  second  do., 
John  McKnabb,  carpenter,  Charles  Stevens,  R.  Jones, 
Alexander  Stuart,  seaman,  and  Andrew  Close,  appren- 
tice ;  Samuel  McCartney,  husband  and  father  of  the  fe- 
male and  children  who  died  in  the  boat,  and  Margaret 
Crouch  passengers.  McCartney  has  since  been  taken  to 
the  marine  hospital,  in  a  very  exhausted  state,  a§  have 
two  of  the  crew. 


I  N  D  E 

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PaW 

Losa  of  the  Grosvenor  Indiaman, g 

Loss  of  the  Fatty salem,    .    .   .   .    •. .   .   .   .   .  41 

Loss  of  the  Ship  Hercules,  ...... 56 

Loss  of  the  Ship  Litchfield, » .   .  S9 

Loss  of  the  Portuguese  vessel  St  James,     .......    • 100 

Loss  of  the  Ship  Centaur .-. , 104 

Loss  of  the  Sloop  Betsy ; 118 

Loss  of  the  Brig  Tyrell, 131 

Loss  of  the  Prince,  by  fire, » 142 

Loss  of  he  Phoenix, • 1 54 

Loss  of  the  La  Tribune, 169 

Famine  in  the  American  Ship  Peggy, • 175 

The  wrecked  Seamen, 180 

Loss  of  the  Peggy, isr 

Loss  of  the  Hiflsewell  East  Indiaomn, 1 95 

Loss  of  the  Nottingham  Galley,  of  London,      208 

Loss  of  the  Ship  Droits  de  L'Homme, 219 

Loss  of  the  Earl  of  Abefgavenny.'East  Indiaman, 223 

Loss  of  the  Gathaftipe,  Venus,  j|jg|  Piedmont  Transports  :  and  three 

Merchant  Ships, 230 

Wreck  of  the  British  Ship  Sidney;  .    .£ 242 

Loss  of  the  Ramillies,    .    .  „.   I    .    .    .   &.f 245 

Preservation  of  Nine  Men,     ;  .'.   .   .   .  *. 258 

Loss  of  the  JEnea^  Transport*  .   .   ,   •&&.  •   •   • •  2G5 

Loss  »ft lie  Nautilus  Sloop  of^!Mr.^MH| 269 

Loss  of  the  Ship  Amphioi  2S2 

Loss  of  the  Helen  M'Gregor,    .  ^^Hp   •   •   •   •. 2^3 

Loss  of  the  Ship  Beverly,   .   .   ,   .  7**?^ ' .294 

Loss  of  the  Ship  Albion, .299 

Loss  of  the  Ship  Logan,  by  fire, 306 

Loss  of  the  Ship  Margaret, 308 

Burning  of  the  Kent, 312 

Loss  of  the  Ship  Boston, 321 

Loss  of  the  Whale  Ship  Essex, ,323 

Loss  of  the  Isabella, 326 

Loss  of  the'Rothsay  Castle  Steamer, 331 

Loss  of  the  Brig  Salljfr   . •  .   .   .  ,.337 

Sufferings  of'Ephraim  Howe,   if...    • ,- 339 

Loss  of  the  Transport  Harpooner, • 311 

Loss  of  the  Brig  Polly, 345 

Lossof  the  Queen  Charlotte, .*,> 349 

Loss  of  the  Amphitrite  Convict  Ship, 352 

\oss  of  the  Lady  of  the  Lake, 356 

Loss  of  the  British  Brig  Jesse, 368 


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